The private sector can be instrumental in supporting climate adaptation and resilience investments, especially in augmenting public finance and complementing the work of other climate facilities.
For this reason, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation (MOIC) are co-hosting a two-day South-South knowledge exchange workshop to facilitate learning on how to accelerate private sector engagement in climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in the areas of agriculture, water, and energy. The workshop will be held on the margins of the second edition of the Egypt – International Cooperation Forum and the joint meeting of African Ministers of Finance, Economy and Environment, held under the patronage of His Excellency, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Presidency of COP27.
The role of the business sector in adaptation and resilience interventions goes beyond providing capital or being a supportive investment partner. A 2019 report from the high-profile Global Commission on Adaptation points out that the private sector’s own resilience “depends, crucially, on the resilience of the communities in which it is embedded.” The private sector is thus an important partner for governments and communities to adapt and build climate resilience.
The Enhancing Private Sector Engagement in Adaptation: South-South Learning workshop will bring together diverse stakeholders, including government, development institution, and private sector representatives and partners, from around Africa to share examples of successes and challenges in delivering adaptation programs. The host country, Egypt, has invited representatives from Madagascar, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia – all countries supported by the CIF’s Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) – to share their experiences. The session will also draw on CIF’s track record and experience of delivering climate finance projects in 72 developing and middle-income countries around the world. To facilitate deeper learning and to provide a platform for South-South knowledge exchange, select participants from other countries or regions have also been invited to share their experiences and lessons learned.
Workshop sessions will discuss and dissect a range of issues pertinent to private sector investment in adaptation and resilience, including interventions to engage SMEs, innovation and technology, and specific sessions focused on the agriculture, water, and energy sectors.
The workshop will be held in Cairo, Egypt on September 7 and 8, 2022.