Something remarkable happened at the 2025 global climate summit in Belém, Brazil. For the first time in history, countries agreed on a shared framework to measure whether communities worldwide are actually becoming safer and more resilient in the face of climate change. Even better, Africa is set to play a starring role in making this vision a reality.

The newly adopted "Belém Adaptation Indicators" represent a groundbreaking shift in how the world approaches climate adaptation. These 60 straightforward measures track real improvements in people's daily lives, from water security and food systems to health services and early warning systems. Instead of focusing solely on policy documents and promises, these indicators ask a simple but powerful question: are communities genuinely becoming safer?

For Africa, this development carries special significance. The continent has been pioneering creative, community-driven solutions to climate challenges for years. From innovative farming practices and local early warning systems to nature-based projects and community savings groups, African communities have shown remarkable ingenuity in adapting to changing conditions. Until now, however, there was no global framework to recognize these efforts or identify where additional support could make the biggest difference.

The indicators cover essential areas that affect everyday life. They track progress in reducing climate risks through disaster preparedness, strengthening resilience in health and food systems, protecting vital ecosystems like forests and wetlands, and supporting vulnerable populations. Crucially, they also monitor how adaptation funding flows to communities, ensuring resources reach the people who need them most.

What makes this framework particularly encouraging is its focus on equity. By looking beyond national averages, the indicators help reveal disparities between rural and urban areas, between different income levels, and among groups facing varying degrees of climate risk. This means the most vulnerable communities won't remain invisible in global progress reports.

The Ripple Effect

The timing of this agreement creates an inspiring opportunity. Countries have committed to a two-year refinement process called the "Belém-Addis Vision," leading up to COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2027. This makes Africa not just a participant but a leader in shaping how the world measures and achieves climate resilience.

Africa's diverse climate challenges, from floods displacing communities in west and central Africa to record heat in the Sahel, make the continent an ideal testing ground for these global indicators. The solutions that work across Africa's varied landscapes and communities will provide invaluable lessons for the rest of the world.

Climate adaptation scholar perspectives confirm that while the indicators need further refinement, particularly around data collection capacity, the framework represents a major milestone. The two years leading to Addis Ababa offer a chance to strengthen the measures, making them more practical and relevant for regions facing the highest climate risks.

African communities have already demonstrated that adaptation isn't just about surviving climate change but finding innovative ways to thrive despite it. With the world's attention turning to Addis Ababa in 2027, Africa's leadership promises to transform these indicators from technical measures into tools that drive real, measurable improvements in people's lives. The continent that faces some of the world's most severe climate impacts is now positioned to show the world how to build genuine resilience.