Tariye Gbadegesin, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), took to her LinkedIn page to share the significant strides made during her inaugural mission in the role. With just three weeks under her belt, Gbadegesin embarked on a productive journey, culminating in fruitful discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on climate finance priorities for Asia and the Pacific.
In her statement, Gbadegesin underscored CIF’s commitment to partnership, collaboration, evaluation, and learning. She expressed gratitude to the ADB for their warm welcome and engaging dialogues, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in advancing CIF’s mission.
Highlighting the impact of CIF’s efforts in the region, Gbadegesin revealed that $1.4 billion in CIF financing has been channeled through the ADB, leveraging a total of $9.6 billion in capital mobilized from CIF and its partners. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in catalyzing funds for climate-related initiatives, laying the groundwork for sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific.
Gbadegesin extended heartfelt appreciation to Woochong Um for his invaluable insights, acknowledging his leadership in strengthening the partnership between CIF and the ADB. Looking ahead, she affirmed their shared commitment to supporting vulnerable countries in the region as they navigate energy transitions and build resilience to climate change, with a focus on equity, fairness, and livelihood.
As Gbadegesin concludes her inaugural mission, her dedication to advancing climate finance and fostering meaningful partnerships sets a promising tone for CIF’s future endeavors in promoting sustainability and resilience on a global scale.