Climate Finance Desk | December 2025
The Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, has publicly acknowledged the key contributions of four major global climate funds to the institution’s early operational success, ahead of the Fund’s first Call for Funding Requests set to be launched at COP30 in Brazil.
In a detailed statement, Diong — a former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director-General of the ARC Group — highlighted that the FRLD’s progress is the product of extensive collaboration, technical support, and shared expertise from institutions at the forefront of global climate finance.
“The launch of the first Call for Funding Requests of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) at COP30 Brazil reflects the remarkable journey of the Fund and the leadership of our Board,” he said.
“It is the result of the dedication of our contributors, the staff of the independent FRLD Secretariat, the former interim secretariat, and the support of many stakeholders including civil society.”
Diong proceeded to name and commend four climate-finance leaders who played crucial roles in helping the FRLD transition from concept to operational readiness.
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
He praised the GCF under Executive Director Mafalda Duarte:
“The GCF was one of the key institutions that supported the interim Secretariat of the FRLD prior to my arrival,” Diong noted.
He added that the Fund “provided valuable legal and governance support to our Board, alongside UNDP and UN Climate Change.”
Adaptation Fund (AF)
Diong also commended the Adaptation Fund, led by Mikko Ollikainen, for its practical guidance.
“The AF has been exceptionally helpful in sharing its experience in building a fund from the ground up,” he said.
He highlighted its involvement in staff recruitment and contribution to the design of FRLD’s early interventions.
Climate Investment Funds (CIF)
Under CEO Tariye Gbadegesin, the CIF was described as a critical source of expertise.
Diong explained that CIF has “provided invaluable coordination and staffing support to FRLD, and has generously shared insights from its work designing resilience programs.”
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
He equally recognized the leadership of Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.
“The GEF has been instrumental in sharing decades of experience in board management, program development, and operational excellence,” Diong said.
A Unified Front for Developing Nations
Diong emphasized that the FRLD’s work is not conducted in isolation, but through sustained collaboration with the broader climate-finance community.
“I am deeply grateful to stand alongside these four exceptional leaders within the community of global climate funds,” he stated.
He extended appreciation for how they “graciously welcomed me to the community as inaugural Executive Director of FRLD.”
He reaffirmed the collective mission of the institutions:
“Together—with the guidance of our Boards—we remain committed to strengthening complementarity, coherence, and coordination as we continue to support developing countries.”
Concluding with a memorable line he attributed to colleagues Maggie Mutesi and Mathilde Bord-Laurans, Diong underscored the interdependence within global climate finance:
“Behind the success of any Fund, there is always the support of another Fund behind.”
