Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, officially opened the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Global Knowledge Exchange today, marking the start of a four-day summit dedicated to accelerating country-led climate finance. The event, hosted in partnership with the African Development Bank and the World Bank, has drawn over 150 delegates from 27 nations to the capital to share expertise on green development and resilient infrastructure.

A centerpiece of the opening plenary was the launch of ARISE, a new investment program designed to convert climate risks into economic opportunities. The program offers a predictable funding envelope of $30 to $40 million per country, with regional initiatives eligible for up to $50 million. This initiative aims to mainstream climate resilience into national development strategies, a goal that aligns with Ethiopia’s existing $90 million CIF-supported portfolio in clean energy and nature-based solutions.

Minister Ahmed Shide emphasized that hosting the exchange is a significant milestone as Ethiopia prepares for its upcoming presidency of COP32. He noted that the nation’s climate-resilient green economy approach remains central to its development vision, focusing on adaptation finance, accelerated energy access, and a global financial architecture that better serves the needs of developing countries.

CIF CEO Tariye Gbadegesin highlighted the economic urgency of the gathering, noting that climate shocks are currently eroding trillions of dollars from the global economy. She stressed that targeted resilience investments are essential to keeping businesses open and jobs intact during environmental crises. The forum continues through April 30, serving as a platform for South-South learning and technical exchange on renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.