Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 8 November 2022 – The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group pavilion at COP27 summit premises in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, saw the holding of a major side event on “Integrating Climate Change Adaptation in Conflict-affected Contexts” co-hosted by IsDB, Spark International, and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on 8 November 2022.

The side event which centered on “The resilience building of impact of creating sustainable jobs on the displaced and most vulnerable groups,” was participated by a host of high-profile dignitaries and experts.

IsDB President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, was a keynote speaker at the side event where he touched upon the global shocks causes by COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis in Eastern Europe compounded by the adverse impacts of climate change which have consequently given rise to alarming levels of unemployment, forced displacement, amongst others.

“Unless countries cooperate to build resilience and enhance capacity, and communities provide jobs and livelihoods opportunities for individuals that facilitate adaptation for climate change in fragile and conflict affected contexts, this situation is expected to get worse,” Dr. Al Jasser stated.

“To address the challenges of climate change in fragile and conflict-affected situations in member countries, the Bank is selective and considers national ownership as critical to addressing this challenge,” the IsDB Group Chairman said.

“IsDB, Spark, and other partners have been active to support young refugees and hosting communities through skills and entrepreneurship development in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and Somalia. Within this partnership framework, we have been able to mobilize critical resources through non-traditional partners. This has helped to leverage innovation and technologies to create jobs for young women and men,” he elaborated.