The African Development Bank (AfDB) is hosting the fourth meeting of the Board of Program Directors of the Climate for Development in Africa Initiative (Clim-Dev) on March 6 and 7 in Tunis.

The high-level meeting marks a turning point in Africa's fight against climate change, particularly in Africa itself. In the course of this meeting, the Clim-Dev Special Fund (CDSF) - an ad hoc investment fund set aside to finance climate change activities in Africa -becomes operational this year.

In addition to the Fund resources and the possibility of disseminating robust and viable statistical data on climate and its evolution in Africa, CDSF will finance concrete operations on the ground.Currently, 14 projects are being reviewed under the Climate for Development initiative in Africa.

Alongside AfDB Managers and Bank experts, some 30 other delegates are also expected to participate in the Tunis meeting, representing the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Regional Economic Communities (RICs), as well as the donor community and civil society organizations.

AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Fatima Denton, Officer-in-charge of climate change adaptation programs in Africa undertaken by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Abdirahman Beileh, Director of the AfDB's Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, will also be in attendance.

Established in 2009 under the joint auspices of AfDB, AUC and UNECA, the Clim-Dev Africa Initiative was launched in 2012. Its initial resources have been further enhanced by contributions made by African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) countries in February 2013. The management of the Clim-Dev Special Fund has been entrusted to African Development Bank. Within the Bank, Clim-Dev Africa is managed by the Department of Agriculture and Agro-Industry (OSAN).