The island nation of Mauritius is set to host the 2022 African Economic Conference (AEC) from 9 to 11 December.

The African Economic Conference is Africa’s leading forum for discussing the continent’s emerging challenges and opportunities. It is jointly hosted by the African Development Bank, the Economic Commission for Africa, and the United Nations Development Program.

This year’s conference will hold in a hybrid format, with in-person delegates gathering in the coastal city of Balaclava, northwest of Mauritius.

It is under the theme “Supporting Climate-Smart Development in Africa.”

Coming on the heels of COP 27, the conference will bring together various stakeholders— policymakers, climate experts, the private sector, researchers, and youth—to discuss and draft an action plan to support the low-carbon and climate-resilient development of Africa.

Experts have warned that most of Africa will suffer from extreme weather events, which have become more frequent and severe, causing damage to agriculture, tourism, cities, infrastructure, water, energy systems, and even the extractive sector.

AEC 2022 will be an opportunity to reflect on the institutional capacities to build climate-smart development mechanisms and support our regional member countries to build resilience and transition to low-carbon development pathways. It will also be an occasion to reflect on how countries can actively rebuild better from the Covid-19 pandemic with climate-smart solutions.

Since its inception in 2006, the AEC has supported research, policy discussion, and knowledge sharing on issues affecting Africa.  This year, Mauritius is expecting over 400 in-person attendees.

Register here to join the largest pan-African economic meeting and take part in shaping innovative solutions supporting climate-smart development in Africa.

Please email aec2022@afdb.org(link sends e-mail) or media@afdb.org(link sends e-mail) for further information