19/9/2024
At the Global Development Hub of Imperial College in London, Mayor of Freetown & C40 Co-Chair, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, shared her insights on the future of urban sustainability and policy, as well as the progress toward achieving SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
She addressed the challenges and opportunities cities in low income countries face, highlighting the importance of data-driven policies and community-led solutions for sustainable urban development.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr presented her vision for a sustainable Freetown, emphasising the need to balance urban growth with sustainability and take decisive steps to combat climate change.
She also discussed Freetown’s progress in meeting the SDGs through the Transform Freetown-Transforming Lives development roadmap, which focuses on four key areas aligned with the UN SDGs: Human Capital Development, Climate Action, Digital Economy, and Cultural Heritage. These clusters prioritise reforestation, green energy, heat adaptation, investments in waste management, access to digital skills, and fostering an environment for digital transformation.
Imperial College’s Global Development Hub, which brings together researchers and partners from developing countries, is a platform for advancing the SDGs through collaborative research, teaching, and entrepreneurship initiatives.