African Agency for Integrated Development (AAID): Winner of the 2021 OPEC Fund Annual Award for Development
See press release for details.
The OPEC Fund Annual Award for Development (AAD) celebrates outstanding contributions to sustainable development. Each year, it recognizes a different theme of particular relevance to the global development agenda. The AAD was first introduced in 2006 and includes a US$100,000 prize.
All the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. SDG 7 promotes access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all and is at the heart of both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed nearly US$3.3 billion in support of projects enhancing access to energy services worldwide.
Clean cooking is a key driver for achieving SDG 7. Clean cooking solutions reduce pollution (SDG 13), improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people in developing countries - particularly women and children – (SDG 3), and make an important contribution to inclusive and sustainable communities (SDG 10 & 11).
The OPEC Fund therefore dedicated its 2021 Annual Award for Development to NGO African Agency for Integrated Development (AAID) for its community work in promoting clean cooking technologies, training and advocacy for women and youth in the Kyaka II refugee settlement in Western Uganda. AAID website
AAID is working with the local government to lead awareness and training sessions and aims to create a ripple effect to encourage women and youth in the settlement to switch to more efficient, safe and cleaner cooking practices.