Starting on October 30, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), will launch the U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week, uniting African leaders and policymakers in the United States to explore innovative climate resilience and adaptation solutions.
This initiative was initially unveiled by Vice President Kamala Harris during her March 2023 trip to Africa, saying that the U.S. government’s dedication to addressing climate-related challenges in African nations.
USTDA’s Director, Enoh T. Ebong, emphasized that the U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week aims to facilitate two-way knowledge exchange and establish connections for U.S. solutions supporting sustainable, high-quality infrastructure aligned with African leaders’ climate adaptation and resilience priorities.
This effort reflects the urgency of global collaboration in tackling the consequences of the climate crisis while collectively striving to reduce worldwide emissions.
The African delegation comprises 28 members from 13 countries across the continent. Half of the delegation will visit the Los Angeles area to explore cutting-edge U.S. solutions in water management, while the other half will journey to New Orleans for a presentation of U.S. technologies and best practices in early warning and disaster response systems.
The week will culminate in a joint program in Washington, DC, where delegates will engage with prominent U.S. government agencies and organizations shaping policies and financing opportunities for climate-resilient infrastructure.
On November 3, USTDA will host public business briefings in Washington, DC, where U.S. companies can directly interact with the delegation, learn about upcoming business opportunities, and schedule one-on-one meetings to present their innovative solutions.
For more details about the U.S.-Africa Climate Innovation Week, visit https://www.ustda.gov/event/africa-climate-innovation-week/.
Recent analyses have emphasized the requirement for trillions of dollars in annual infrastructure investments to confront the global climate crisis.
USTDA is actively collaborating with emerging economies most vulnerable to climate impacts, funding infrastructure development endeavors that address adaptation and resilience needs while creating export opportunities for U.S. companies.