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Press Releases
"Specific objectives, priorities, partners and tools for each geographical area"
2012 can be summed up in a few figures for AFD. Funding approvals stood at EUR 7.2bn in 7 sectors and over 70 countries, including 3 new countries, and the 2012-2016 Strategic Orientation Plan was adopted. Dov Zerah, Chief Executive Officer of AFD, takes a look back at a year marked by a whole host of new partnerships in a video interview.
EUR 7.2bn for more equitable and low-carbon growth
2012 marked a year of further progress for AFD in the total amount of assistance it provided, along with the addition of three new countries to its area of operations and the definition of a new Strategic Orientation Plan (POS 3). AFD is pursuing its activities in its 5 geographical areas. "In each of our geographical areas of operation (Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean), we will be focusing our efforts on sectors and we will be working with different tools and products. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the priority is agricultural development, which itself can only be achieved by developing infrastructure. It is in this region that we grant our most subsidized loans. We also focus on education and health, for which we will be earmarking the bulk of the grants that the Government allocates to us", explains Dov Zerah.
2012, which was already a record year for overall activity, at over EUR 7bn, was marked by two records. The first concerns the activity in the French Overseas Provinces, which stood at over EUR 1.5 bn. This is the second year in a row in these Provinces. The second is for AFD’s private sector financing arm, Proparco, which also achieved "an exceptional year".
At the center of AFD’s action: the concept of differentiated geographical partnerships
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the priority area of operation.
Each part of the world has its focus sectors: this is the concept of differentiated geographical partnerships.
In Arab Islamic countries, the priority is employment and reducing inequalities. In Latin America and Asia, it is to support green and inclusive growth.
Finally, in the French Overseas Provinces, AFD supports projects that aim to further integrate them into their regional environment, support companies in these Provinces, develop housing and provide assistance to local authorities.
2012 highlights
New countries for operations, new partnerships, new Strategic Orientation Plan and sectoral strategies, media events… 2012 was marked by a whole host of events. We take a brief look back at the key dates.
2012 in numbers
3 new countries for operations: AFD has been authorized to operate in Burma, Libya and Peru.
French Overseas Provinces: EUR 1.48bn for the French Overseas Provinces: with a record level of financing in 2012, AFD has underscored its status as a leading stakeholder for support to economies in the French Overseas Provinces.
NGOs: EUR 45m of grants to support 52 initiatives led by 41 French NGOs.
2012 in milestones
12-17 March: A Thirsty World
In Marseille, during the World Water Forum, AFD discussed solutions for universal access to water and sanitation. The film “A Thirsty World” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, for which AFD was a partner, was previewed at the event.
15-22 June: Rio+20
AFD was at the Rio+20 Conference and underscored its commitment to support sustainable development, which it considers as a dynamic balance between the economic, social and environmental aspects of development.
June: 1st SER report, rated B+ by an external audit
Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER)
In addition to this report and its new Professional Ethics Charter, AFD has taken steps to strengthen its financial security and review its procedures for anti-money laundering and the fight against corruption and the financing of terrorism.
27 September: partnership with the Association of French Regions (ARF)
The agreement signed with ARF is the 24th to be signed with a stakeholder in decentralized cooperation. It aims to further integrate economic development into the external action conducted by regions, develop joint training provision, support cooperation by regions in the French Overseas Provinces and promote regional networks.
15 October: Strategy: 2012-2016 Strategic Orientation Plan
The Board of Directors approved AFD’s 2012-2016 Strategic Orientation Plan. It sets out differentiated operating methods according to the characteristics of the countries where it operates, sustainable development as the identity marker for its activity, the consolidation of its activity and the objective of excellence at all levels.
October: energy
AFD adopted an operational framework for 2012-2016, which will guide all its activities in the energy sector. For this period, it will allocate EUR 6bn, with a focus on renewable energies and energy efficiency.
5 November: launch of the Conferences on Development and International Solidarity
AFD actively participated in this broad-based dialogue initiated by the Government on the priorities, methods and accountability of France’s cooperation policy. All stakeholders in French cooperation (parliamentarians, NGOs, migrant associations, trade unions, enterprises, foundations, regional and local authorities, research institutes) were involved.
2-11 December: “Objectif développement” exhibition in Africa
Following its tour in France, the “Objectif développement” photo exhibition stopped over in 3 African cities, beginning with Dakar during the 6th Africities Summit.
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