MEDIA ADVISORY

African Union Member States To Establish The Continent’s Newest Financial Entity to Manage Climate Risk

21 November 2012, Addis Ababa – Mandated by African Union (AU) Heads of State in July 2012, delegates from 41 countries across the continent will convene on Friday at DIRCO’s O.R. Tambo building to sign the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Establishment Agreement.
The ARC is a groundbreaking extreme weather insurance scheme designed to help African Union member states resist and recover from the ravages of natural disasters. This African-owned, AU-led financial entity will use advanced satellite weather surveillance and software – developed by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) – to estimate and disburseimmediate funds to African countries hit by severe weather events. More relevant than ever in light of the lingering effects of the drought in the Horn of Africa last year and the ongoing crisis in the Sahel, this pioneering new mechanism will decrease Africa’s reliance on external aid.
Date: Friday, 23 November 2012

Time: Signing Ceremony 9h30 – 11h30
Venue: DIRCO O.R. Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria

For media credentials and security clearance contact:
David Goodman, ARC Secretariat
david.goodman@wfp.org
Mobile: 0829081332

Media Contacts:
Wynne Musabayana, AUC Communications and Information Directorate
wynnemusabayana991@hotmail.com
Mobile: +27 730845696

Fatima Kassam, ARC Chief of Governmental Affairs and Policy
fatima.kassam@wfp.org
Mobile: +27 792615266

Interview Opportunities:
• H.E. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy & Agriculture
• Dr. Richard Wilcox, ARC Managing Director, a.i.
• Heads of Delegation of Anticipated Signatories: Senegal, Niger, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tchad (Chair of the ARC Plenipotentiary Conference)