Ms. Bekele-Thomas has accepted the appointment and joins a distinguished board chaired by H.E. Macky Sall, 4th President of the Republic of Senegal, alongside Mr. Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, and Mr. Francis X. Suarez, Mayor of Miami.
"I am honoured to accept this appointment at such a pivotal moment for Africa and the world," said Ms. Bekele-Thomas. "As we face accelerating climate impacts that disproportionately affect our continent, Africa's voice must be central to global adaptation governance. Through this platform, we will ensure that our implementation priorities, development pathways, and proven solutions shape the decisions and financing that will determine our collective climate future."
The appointment comes at a critical juncture as the world approaches a climate breaking point, with Africa bearing the most severe impacts despite contributing least to the crisis.