Arab Coordination Group (ACG) Institutions launch food security action

The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) is taking action in response to the global food supply crisis. As a first step, the group is providing an initial US$10 billion for immediate relief and long-term support. According to the latest estimates by the United Nations, about 49 million people worldwide are at risk of falling into famine conditions in the months ahead.

Speaking after hosting a meeting of the ACG Heads of Institutions in Vienna on June 20, OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, said: “With this bold initiative we are taking quick, decisive and forceful action. Millions of people are facing hunger today, and this is something we simply must address urgently. As a dedicated ACG member the OPEC Fund fully stands by this commitment.” 

The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) is a strategic alliance that provides a coordinated response to development finance. Through knowledge-sharing, combined expertise, and effective assistance, the Group assists developing countries in reaching their economic and social development objectives. Since its establishment in 1975, ACG has been instrumental in developing economies and communities for a better future, providing more than 11,000 development loans in the public sector to over 160 countries around the globe.

The amount of a minimum US$10 billion represents the total of the ACG members’ commitments. Among those, the OPEC Fund already announced a US$1 billion “Food Security Action Plan” to be deployed over the next three years as immediate assistance to cover the import costs of basic commodities such as seeds, grains and fertilizers, while supporting medium and long-term security of food supply in partner countries.

The ACG commended other international institutions, as well as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leadership role to drive immediate support to countries most affected by the global food crisis in the developing world.

Through effective coordination and collaboration, the ACG provides a wide range of targeted solutions and optimized deployment of resources to meet the development needs of nations. As the second-largest donor group in the world, ACG is committed to delivering innovative development finance solutions that assist developing countries, and have a positive and sustainable impact on global issues. 

ACG comprises four bilateral and six multilateral Arab development financial institutions: Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Arab Gulf Program for Development, Arab Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, OPEC Fund for International Development, Qatar Fund for Development, and Saudi Fund for Development. 

Addressing the climate crisis, the ACG also agreed to provide financing to mitigate the impact of climate change and strengthen climate resilience. The Group will launch a detailed action plan at the next UN Climate Conference COP27 in November in Egypt. The initiative will include a collective financial commitment and a roadmap to accelerate energy transition, increase climate resilience and promote energy security. 

In a joint communiqué, ACG members expressed “grave concern” about the current global crisis in food and energy security, exacerbating the already challenging global economic situation following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Group reaffirmed its intention to “act with urgency, at scale, and in coordination to respond to the global crisis and its cross-cutting challenges affecting or threatening to affect the livelihoods of millions of people around the world” and to “design joint interventions to combat the crisis through utilization of allocated resources, including joint and parallel co-financing”. 

New brand for the ACG reflects common purpose and values

ACG also launched a refreshed brand identity and logo, which reflects the common values and objectives of the development finance group. The new logo embodies the shared values of collaboration, excellence, trust and sustainability. A new web site [theACG.org] will enhance visibility of the Group’s activities and strengthen its recognition, thus deepening its impact.