UN Climate Change News, 21 September 2024 – The Board of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has announced the selection of Ibrahima Cheikh Diong as its first Executive Director, for a four-year term beginning November 1, 2024. This is a key step towards responding to loss and damage by bringing finance to millions of people in developing countries on the frontlines of climate change.
A Senegalese and American national, Mr. Diong brings over three decades of global experience in climate change, finance, and development. He will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Fund’s Secretariat and assist the Board in delivering on the Fund’s mandate to provide financial support to vulnerable countries hardest hit by climate impacts.
Ibrahima Cheikh Diong said: “I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time when the climate crisis is proving to be an existential threat to lives and livelihoods, particularly of the most vulnerable communities in developing countries. The Fund for responding to Loss and Damage will make a significant difference to those disproportionately affected, and I take this responsibility with humility and a full commitment to serve. I look forward to working with the Board, our partners and stakeholders to provide crucial support to low-income developing countries most affected by climate change."
Mr. Diong currently serves as Special Representative of the President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa on ESG and was previously the UN-Assistant Secretary General and Director General of the African Union specialized agency, the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group, where he was responsible for shaping, defining and executing the strategic vision of the institution.
Prior to this, he held several senior positions including Founder and Chair of the ACT Afrique Group; Senior Africa Banker at BNP Paribas; Minister and Special Adviser to the President of the Republic of Senegal; Director General of International Cooperation of Senegal; Permanent Secretary of Energy of Senegal, Manager at IFC Africa Department; Regional Coordinator for Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility at the World Bank; and Africa Director at Booz, Allen & Hamilton. His early career saw him working in remote villages in Senegal, where he lived alongside rural communities to help increase their access to water for drinking and irrigation.
Mr. Diong, who is fluent in English, French and Mandarin Chinese, was selected through an open, merit-based, and transparent recruitment process led by the Fund’s Board.
Richard Sherman, FRLD Co-Chair, said: “The selection of Ibrahima, a developing country leader, to drive the Fund’s bottom-up, country-driven approach reflects the seriousness of the multilateral resolve to address the urgent impacts of loss and damage in countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. I look forward to working with Ibrahima to turn this resolve into reality.”
Jean-Christophe Donnellier, FRLD Co-Chair, said: “With this appointment, the Fund is taking a critical step towards helping countries most affected by climate change. I warmly congratulate Ibrahima and look forward to working closely with him.”
Today, the FRLD Board also approved all the key documentation that will allow the World Bank to act as interim trustee and host of the Fund’s Secretariat.
