On January 17 (US time), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), together with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and multilateral development banks (MDBs)*, announced the Action Agenda on Financing for Climate Resilience with a Focus on Extreme Heat.
The action agenda recognizes the significant impact of extreme heat on broad sectors such as food, water, energy, education, livelihood, and heath. It calls for diverse stakeholders to take 10 concrete actions, including promoting private investment, to advance climate-resilient development with a focus on the issue.
Extreme heat events are occurring globally with increasing frequency and severity. These trends are expected to continue and further intensifiy over time. Developing regions are particularly vulnerable, facing challenges such as heatwave-induced droughts, school closures, and disruptions to outdoor labor.
In response to this growing crisis, JICA President Tanaka Akihiko participated alongside MDB leaders in the High-Level Dialogue convened in June 2024, hosted by USAID Administrator Samantha Power and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen. Building on these discussions, the action agenda was announced.
As an agency committed to the mission of human security, JICA seeks to create a climate-resilient world as a key goal under its Sustainability Policy. Based on the action agenda, JICA will continue to strengthen collaboration with development partners and contribute to the advancement of developing regions towards the realization of this goal.
(*)MDBs participating in the High-Level Dialogue included the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), African Development Bank (AfDB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
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