In an opening the plenary of the 2022 Civil Society Forum, in Côte d'Ivoire, African Development Bank Group (AfDB) president Dr Akinwumi Adesina said civil society organisations are essential in the bank’s efforts to build the continent’s resistance to climate change.

He reiterated the AfDB’s commitment to mobilise up to $13-billion to provide 20-million farmers with climate-smart agricultural technologies and a further 20-million farmers and pastoralists with weather-indexed insurance.

The scheme, which is part of the bank’s African Development Fund’s (ADF’s) Climate Action Window, will also revive one-million hectares of degraded land and provide renewable energy for about 9.5-million people.

The ADF is the concessional window of the AfDB and supports eligible African countries in strengthening their economic capacity, reducing poverty and spurring economic and social development. This latest funding drive marks the sixteenth replenishment of the fund.

Adesina said civil society organisations hold great promise for supporting the most vulnerable of people in the face of climate change devastation.

He elaborated that the Civil Society Forum fostered an open dialogue with civil society actors, ahead of the global climate summit, COP27, which will be hosted in Egypt, in November.

In turn, Adesina said COP27 must help refocus attention of Africa’s needs and priorities. He commended African civil society organisations for their contribution toward strengthening the continent’s resilience and adaptation to climate change.

During the Civil Society Forum, ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Côte d'Ivoire Wael Badawi said civil society organisations would also participate in panel discussions during COP27.

AfDB power, energy, climate and green growth VP Dr Kevin Kariuki noted that, for Africa to meet its needs for socioeconomic development, it must double its energy consumption by 2040.

To this end, the AfDB is committed to engaging in permanent and constructive dialogue with all African climate change stakeholders to deliver tangible results.

AfDB agriculture, human and social development VP Dr Beth Dunford reiterated civil society’s role as an essential link between the bank and African communities.

“We are in it together to build climate resilience and bring about a just energy transition that enhances transparency and accountability.”