African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group

Exciting developments emerged from the recent high-level panel discussion on the sidelines of CoP14 of the African Risk Capacity at the AU Commission in Addis Ababa! This pivotal gathering, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of Ethiopia and the Ethiopia Agriculture Transformation Institute, delved into the pressing theme of "Smart Climate Solutions and Enhancing Resilience for Food Security in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges.” This panel brought together policymakers, partners, executives, and representatives from continental institutions to share invaluable lessons and insights from their respective nations and partners across Africa. The session commenced with a heartfelt and insightful welcome address by Dr Mothae Anthony Maruping, Chairperson of the ARC Group Board. His address underscored the critical role of the ARC mechanism of plan, prepare and respond to climate disasters in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063. H.E. Dr. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, delivered a passionate keynote address, shedding light on Ethiopia's commendable efforts towards food systems transformation and self-reliance in the face of adversity. The panel segment, moderated by UN-ASG and DG of the ARC Group, Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, offered diverse perspectives: H.E. Redouwane Ag Mohamed Ali, Minister Commissioner of Food Security of the Republic of Mali, highlighted Mali’s strategies and pillars crucial to its food and nutrition security agenda. H.E. Mohamud Moalim, Commissioner of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency, spoke poignantly about Somalia's initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance food self-reliance amidst challenges. Additionally, H.E. Chance Kabaghe, ARC Board Member and Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Zambia, emphasised the importance of training African farmers to approach farming as a business, a key step in driving food systems transformation. Lastly, Ms. Lana Zutelija, Adviser on Agriculture, representing the European Union Ambassador to the African Union, eloquently highlighted the EU’s support to Africa in enhancing climate resilience and developing climate-smart agriculture solutions. The key outcome of the gathering: The establishment of an ARC facilitated collaborative platform for member states'cross-learning and experience sharing through the creation of the 'Smart Climate & Agriculture Knowledge Platform.' This learning platform promises to drive collective efforts towards climate resilience and food security across Africa. African Union African Union Development Agency-NEPAD United Nations Economic Commission for Africa BADEA - Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa European Union European Commission African Development Bank Group Affaires mondiales Canada | Global Affairs Canada Ibrahima Cheikh DIONG Eva Kavuma Michèle Diane Karambiri Elizabeth Sibanda Babatunde Iyanda

Live from Addis Ababa: CoP 14 Kickstarts with a United Vision for Climate Resilience Today marks the beginning of an epochal gathering at the AU headquarters—the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14) to the ARC. We're in the midst of an unparalleled assembly of visionaries and leaders, united under the common goal of bolstering our continent's resilience against the climate crisis. The opening remarks by the ARC Group Director-General, the Chairperson of the ARC Group, and the Chair of the CoP have set an empowering tone for the session. Each speech was a resonant call to action, emphasising the urgency of scaling our efforts to safeguard the livelihoods and futures of millions across Africa who face the dire consequences of climate change. The CoP 14 convenes at a critical juncture as African nations confront the escalating challenges posed by extreme weather events and disease outbreaks. It's inspiring to see the dedication and collaboration firsthand, with leaders from our member states ardently engaging in high-level discussions that will shape policies and strengthen our collective response to these pressing issues. With the ARC's mandate ever-so-critical, the strategic decisions made over these two days will steer us toward increased capacity, wider reach, and greater impact. This session reflects our commitment not only to immediate action but also to the enduring development and prosperity of Africa. Stay tuned for updates as CoP 14 unfolds. #CoP14 #ClimateAction #ARC #AfricanUnion #Resilience #SustainableDevelopment African Union African Union Development Agency-NEPAD United Nations Economic Commission for Africa BADEA - Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa European Union European Commission African Development Bank Group Affaires mondiales Canada | Global Affairs Canada KfW Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Global Shield against Climate Risks Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation AfriCatalyst African Risk Capacity Ltd. Ibrahima Cheikh DIONG Lindelwe Lesley Ndlovu Eva Kavuma Gilbert KAYITARE Marie-Béatrice Brou Babatunde Iyanda Elizabeth Sibanda Michèle Diane Karambiri

Today, Mrs. Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director General at the EU’s Directorate General for International Partnerships, and I met to discuss the state of our cooperation between the European Union and African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group at the World Bank and IMF’s spring meetings in Washington, DC. We are grateful for the EU's invaluable contributions to the ARC story of climate resilience building in Africa through global solidarity, both technically and financially. So far, the EU has provided over €14M, with another €10M committed for the coming years, and has played a major role in the development of the R&D functions of ARC. The EU is extremely pleased with ARC Ltd's recent payouts of over USD 60M to 4 Southern African countries (Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia). These funds will protect between 5-6M vulnerable people in these countries affected by devastating droughts. We are committed to continuing to tell the ARC climate resilience story, which is fully aligned with the spirit of the climate loss and damage fund launched at COP 28 in Dubai in December 2023. We are pleased that the EU has accepted to attend and speak at the upcoming African Climate Roundtable co-convened by ARC and other global and African leaders in Johannesburg, May 7-8, 2024. #EU #ARC #ClimateResilience #GlobalSolidarity #AfricanClimateRoundtable #WorldBank #IMF #WashingtonDC michele diane karambiri African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group African Risk Capacity Ltd. Eva Kavuma European Investment Bank (EIB) European Union

Today, H.E. Dr. Aboubakar NACANABO, Minister of Economy and Finance of Burkina Faso, and I had a productive meeting on the margins of the World Bank and IMF spring meetings in Washington DC. We reviewed the progress of our cooperation, specifically at the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group. During our meeting, we discussed the significant growth in membership, treaty ratification, diversification of insurance product offerings, and premium subsidies at ARC. We also highlighted the recent ARC Ltd's USD 4.5M insurance payout to Burkina Faso following last year's drought in the country. Dr. NACANABO spoke highly of the relevancy of the ARC mechanism for Africa in addressing climate loss and damage, emphasizing the importance of global and African solidarity and fostering risk pooling through the insurance market. He also appreciated the donor support to his government through subsidies to help make ARC's insurance premium more affordable. We renew our commitment to advocating for the ARC mechanism as it demonstrates African Solutions to African Problems and to continue being part of the ARC's drought risk pool as it can save many vulnerable communities' lives and livelihoods. #AfricanRiskCapacity #WorldBank #IMF #BurkinaFaso #ClimateChange #RiskPooling

Johannesburg - The southern African region is experiencing one of its worst droughts in decades, and millions are facing extreme food insecurity and water shortages, amidst a growing climate crisis, fuelled by the El Niño weather phenomenon. In a recent meeting between Reena Ghelani, UN Assistant Secretary General and Climate Crisis Coordinator for the El Niño/La Niña response; Menghestab Haile, World Food Programme RD; and Ibrahima Cheikh DIONG, UN Assistant Secretary General and African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group Director General, stakeholders discussed the response to the drought emergency to minimise the impact on lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable. Click on link below to read more: https://lnkd.in/d5chVe7M World Food Programme African Risk Capacity Ltd. Lindelwe Lesley Ndlovu Start Network

We are honored to announce the inaugural African Climate Roundtable organised by 10 global and African leading organisations, taking place on May 7th and 8th, 2024, in #Johannesburg, #South_Africa. This pivotal event represents a catalyst for transformative climate action towards greater resilience in Africa and is a timely opportunity to build upon the resolutions and commitments that arose from #COP28 in Dubai 2023. Click on the link below for further information and registration👇 https://lnkd.in/dezGcYvt African Risk Capacity Ltd. African Union Development Agency-NEPAD Programme Alimentaire Mondial The African Capacity Building Foundation BADEA - Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Global Green Growth Institute Africa Adaptation Initiative UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) African Guarantee Fund United Nations Economic Commission for Africa European Union European Commission African Development Bank Group Affaires mondiales Canada | Global Affairs Canada KfW Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Global Shield against Climate Risks Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation African Business Magazine Ibrahima Cheikh DIONG Menghestab Haile Lindelwe Lesley Ndlovu Eva Kavuma Ange Nothando Chitate Papa Zoumana Diarra Robert D. Agyarko Michèle Diane Karambiri Elizabeth Sibanda Francois Kayitakire Hussein Madih Biniam Taddese

The Urgency of bolstering Africa’s climate resilience has never never been greater. Join us as we chart a course towards a more resilient Africa.

Eid Mubarak to the African Risk Capacity family. African Union Programme Alimentaire Mondial United Nations Economic Commission for Africa BADEA - Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa European Union European Commission African Development Bank Group Affaires mondiales Canada | Global Affairs Canada KfW Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Global Shield against Climate Risks Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation African Risk Capacity Ltd. African Guarantee Fund GGGI Africa Africa Adaptation Initiative