Dan Jørgensen, Danish Minister for Development and Global Climate Policy joins GCA Advisory Board
Following the invitation of the Chairman of the board of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Dan Jørgensen, has agreed to join the Advisory Board of the Global Center on Adaptation.
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s part of the significant strengthening of Danish efforts for global climate adaptation, Dan Jørgensen will work to accelerate climate adaptation in Africa in close cooperation with the African Union and the African Development Bank.
On the announcement of his appointment, Dan Jørgensen , Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy said:
“The countries in Africa are increasingly feeling the consequences of climate change. Droughts and cyclones are becoming more frequent and severe with each passing year. It is a main priority for Denmark to help the affected countries protect themselves and adapt to these difficult conditions. Therefore, I am happy that, on behalf of Denmark, I am working with an organization that is among the absolute leaders on this agenda.”
Co-Chairman of the board of the Global Center on Adaptation, and 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon said:
“I am pleased that the Minister has agreed to become part of the advisory board of the Global Center on Adaptation. Climate adaptation is a top priority and it is crucial that we act faster in Africa in particular. Denmark has a long history of taking the lead in the fight for our climate. The Global Center on Adaptation will stand stronger with the Minister’s personal commitment and leadership.”
Since 2021, the Global Center on Adaptation has distinguished itself as a prominent actor on the adaptation agenda with a focus on Africa with the $25 billion Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) managed in collaboration with the African Development Bank.
Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation said:
“I am delighted that Minister Jørgensen has accepted our invitation to join the Board of the Global Center on Adaptation. His experience, drive and bold leadership will be invaluable in mobilizing support for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme and galvanizing other countries to fulfill the global commitment made to double adaptation finance. Adaptation is not a separate agenda – effective adaptation is about integrating climate risk into what political decision-makers do at every level”
The Horn of Africa is currently suffering its worst drought in 40 years after five consecutive years of below-average rainfall. The drought has affected about 50 million people in the Horn of Africa directly and another 100 million in the wider area. About 20 million people are at risk of acute food insecurity and potential famine.
Speaking following his appointment to the Advisory Board, Dan Jørgensen said:
“With my new portfolio, which covers both development policy and climate policy, the government has sent a clear signal that we want to integrate the two policy areas to a much greater extent. We do this concretely by collaborating with skilled actors around the world and by earmarking 60% of our climate state for climate adaptation.” He added “Climate change is exacerbating many of the problems the countries in Africa are already suffering from. When drought or cyclones hit a country hard, it often means that poverty and inequality increase, conflicts worsen and human rights come under pressure.”
The collaboration with the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is part of the significant strengthening of the Danish effort for climate adaptation, which is expected to amount to approx. 60% of total climate aid in 2023.
Denmark provides financial support to the Global Center on Adaptation with a focus on the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). A total Danish grant of DKK 270 million is expected for the program, of which DKK 50 million will be given directly to the center.
The Danish grant to AAAP focuses on climate-adapted infrastructure in cities. The contribution to GCA strengthens the center’s work in supporting, in particular, the African Development Bank and the World Bank’s work in integrating climate adaptation and resilience in infrastructure in cities.
