VIRTUAL EVENT • 16-17 JUNE 2021
ACRIS V EVENT SUMMARY
AFRICA CLIMATE RESILIENCE INVESTMENT SUMMIT
30
The Fifth Africa Climate Resilience Investment Summit (ACRIS V) took place virtually on 16 and 17 June, 2021 under the theme “embedding and financing climate resilience towards Africa’s green recovery.” It was jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and World Bank Group (WBG), with generous funding from the Nordic Development Fund (NDF). Day 1 commenced with an Opening Ceremony and a series of Keynote Addresses. H.E. Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, DREA, AUC, inaugurated ACRIS V with her strong opening statement, emphasizing the need to build back better for a more resilient Africa. She also announced the AUC Green Recovery Action Plan to guide resource mobilization towards climate change adaptation. These opening remarks were followed by those of Jean-Paul Adam, Director, Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Division of UNECA in which he discussed the critical need for prioritizing climate resilience in investments in crucial sectors for the future development of Africa, as well as the urgency of integrating resilience and investment planning in national and regional long-term development strategies. The final set of opening remarks were given by Dr. Simeon Ehui, Central and Western Africa Regional Director for Sustainable Development
of WBG. He spoke about the uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and how African countries must promote growth-enhancing reforms and steer their economies onto a green, resilient, and inclusive development path because the world will be dealing with the pandemic’s “side-effects” for many years to come. Karin Isaksson, Managing Director of NDF, gave the first keynote address. She highlighted the importance of building back better and greener as a critical part of Africa’s green recovery. Further remarks came from Professor Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), who spoke about how data is fundamental for effective climate action and investments across all African countries. His address was followed by remarks from H.E. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and Director General, African Risk Capacity (ARC)
