Through PISTA and Energy for Growth in Africa, UNDP is supporting a growing portfolio of projects across multiple African countries in areas including renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, sustainable industry, clean mobility, agriculture and water systems. Climate Finance Dialogues 2026 is designed to strengthen the partnerships needed to move these projects forward, helping connect project preparation efforts with the institutions and investors that can support implementation. 

“Climate Finance Dialogues 2026 is about turning preparation into opportunity,” said Agostino Inguscio, Coordinator of UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition. “By bringing together project developers, public institutions, financial partners and technical experts in one place, we are helping create the conditions for stronger partnerships, better projects and more effective climate investment.” 

The Earth Day programme on 22 April will include a bankability deep dive with development finance institutions, a roundtable on Africa’s climate investment pipeline, a session with Italian private sector representatives, and a high-level fireside conversation on ‘Climate Finance for Africa: What Will It Take?’ The evening event will feature remarks from representatives of the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and UNDP senior leadership, underscoring the strategic role of the Italy-UNDP partnership in advancing climate finance and sustainable development. 

At a time when countries are under increasing pressure to deliver resilient infrastructure, expand clean energy access and mobilize finance at scale, Climate Finance Dialogues 2026 offers a practical space to connect ambition with implementation. By convening the actors who design projects, shape enabling conditions and provide financing, the event series reflects a shared effort to accelerate solutions that can deliver both development and climate results.