The level of financial commitments today, both public and private, is still far behind from the demand, especially for the most vulnerable, to adapt to the changing climate. We need a new game plan to involve the whole of society (stakeholders, stockholders and stickholders) in adaptation actions.

The ABM is an exciting new initiative, which has the potential to significantly scale up adaptation finance for the communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

I am excited to serve and contribute to the pilot phase of the ABM. I believe ABM is innovatively addressing barriers to stimulating adaptation finance within the current context of the different policies, instruments and approaches, drawing from all those who have a stake in Africa, including the private and public sectors. ABM is therefore a vital and concrete step towards tangible actions and initiatives in advancing a resilient, sustainable, and transformed low-carbon Africa.

Having worked on the inception of the adaptation benefits mechanism, I am excited to have been part of the journey and see it develop from an idea to something concrete, with pilot projects under way and an established board. I am confident that it will deliver adaptation benefits in Africa where most needed, mobilize finance to help local communities adapt to the devastating impacts of climate change, and assist countries in achieving the adaptation component of their NDCs.

I welcome this appointment with a sense of a mission. While climate change remains a global challenge, adaptation often has a human face. The most vulnerable are suffering from the worst impacts. The needs are huge, but resources are insufficient. This is not fair. We need innovative mechanisms such as the ABM to create incentives for more public and private investments in resilience. This is how we can achieve the ambition of the Paris Agreement for climate finance and adaptation.

Having worked as an expert on baseline and monitoring methodologies for mitigation over the last 20 years, I am excited to be part of an innovative approach to operationalize calculation and measurement of adaptation benefits of specific interventions in Africa.

It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to participate in the timely launching of the innovative ABM, which comes within a context of an increased need of developing countries to address the recurring climate hazards directly affecting the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems, particularly in Africa. I hope I can bring my experience to support the transformation of ABM from an innovative concept to an effectively operational mechanism by the end of its pilot phase.

Shifting to low-carbon and climate resilience requires coordinated, sequentially integrated options by context solutions and mechanisms to ensure inclusive sustainable development.