The former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, said a $10 billion Public-Private Partnership Initiative is expected to bring climate-resilient food security and food systems transformation to millions in Africa and the Middle East.
While speaking at the just concluded Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that the Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative can potentially mobilise at least $10 billion of needed investment through public-private partnerships benefiting millions of people, adding that the collaborative approach aligns notably with global aspirations, specifically the priorities of SDG2 – Zero Hunger, and the COP28.
“If realized, the initiative referred to as the “Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative” will focus on Scaling up climate-resilient Agriculture and Food systems transformation for Economic development in the two regions
“To ensure that words and ideas lead to action and real tangible change, we need everyone, each and every one of us,” he said.
It is to be noted that the Africa and Middle East SAFE Initiative aims to invest in the future of these regions by unlocking green investments, promoting climate-smart agriculture for rural farmers, and creating green jobs, consisting of two key frameworks, the Technical Assistance Fund (TAF) and Investment Platform (IP), which will help build climate-resilient economies.
In his own part, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, said meaningful change needs to happen through dialogues and the discovery of opportunities.
“An opportunity-oriented focus on climate action is the engine for propelling Africa into a real of stability and prosperity. We must see in green growth not just a climate imperative, but also a fountain of multi-billion-dollar economic opportunities that Africa and the World are primed to capitalize on,” Ruto added.