New Telegraph

Climate change: AfDB to double financing for Africa to $25bn by 2025

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed to double its climate finance for Africa to $25 billion by 2025, with more than 50 per cent devoted to climate adaptation. The President of the bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, made this known at a virtual High-Level Launch of the Global Centre on Adaption (GCA) office in Africa on Tuesday.

According to the European Commission, climate adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damages, or taking advantage of opportunities. Adesina said that the fund would address climate risks the continent faced to ensure the continent was not short-changed by the global climate finance. “I am delighted with the launch today of the Global Centre on Adaptation for Africa (GCA) hosted by the African Development Bank.

“The bank has committed to doubling its financing for climate to $25 billion by 2025 with over 50 per cent devoted to climate adaptation. “Africa must not be short-changed by global climate finance.” He reiterated AfDB’s continued partnership with the GCA to mobilise more resources for climate adaptation and ensure access to finance is sustained in the continent.

He urged African leaders to collaborate their efforts toward the sustenance of the centre to ensure sustainable development on the continent. Also speaking, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Co-Chair of the Board of GCA and 8th Secretary-General of the UN, said the launch would accelerate adaptation in Africa. Ban said the GCA would also promote sustainable development in line with international best practices. “This is a historic moment to accelerate adaptation in Africa. Nowhere is the challenge of achieving sustainable development in the face of a changing climate more acute.

“Our new regional office will support regional and national adaptation efforts by emphasising and spreading existing best practices on the continent and ensuring their fully fledged integration into broader international adaptation efforts.” He said that Africa had a large population of youths and urged partners to work together and “invest in young people and maximise their potential”. “We must learn to work together to find solutions,” he added. Meanwhile, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged partners to ensure that knowledge that could boost climate adaptation was shared. “More than any other region, sub-Saharan Africa is vulnerable to the impact of climate change, which threatens lives and livelihoods and undermines economic growth. “After the current crisis (COVID-19), boosting resilience is an urgent priority. So it’s vital we share the knowledge and best practice that can help accelerate climate adaptation.” Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, applauded the launch of the GCA Africa, which she noted would ensure a more resilient Africa. “There is an urgent need to step up the support for people in Africa, and around the world affected by climate change. “I welcome the GCA Africa as a crucial partner in delivering the elevated ambition and enhanced action that is needed to make this shift toward a resilient future.” Mohammed reiterated the commitment and support of the UN toward the development of the continent. GCA Africa will work with partners across the continent to scale and accelerate adaptation action that protects African communities from the impacts of climate change. The centre will focus on programmes and ac-tion, knowledge acceleration, capacity building and agenda-setting that respond to the acute challenges from the changing climate facing African countries. The programmes include improving the food security of one billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

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