The Regional Forum on Adaptation and Mitigation of the Impact of Climate Change on Rural and Agricultural Finance was launched in Colombo, Sri Lanka on December1, 2014 attended by more 120 participants from APRACA members, Asian financial institutions, microcredit institutions and many other institutions involved with the agricultural finance.
The forum was held with three panel discussions focusing on issues of: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges in Addressing Climate Changes through Rural and Agricultural Finance from the Perspective of (1) Central Banks and Donor Agencies, (2) Agricultural Banks and Commercial Banks, and (3) Microfinance Institutions.
Dr. Arghavan Farzin Mo’tamed, Manager of International Cooperation and Head of APRACA-BK Center of Excellence on Women Empowerment, made a speech and presentation in the second discussion session with panelists from Bangladesh BRAC (One of the most successful microcredit institutions in the world); National Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks’ Federation (NAFCARD) from the Philippines; Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) from Thailand; National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF), and the Agriculture Bank of Malaysia.
Explaining Bank Keshavarzi’s risk management and initiatives to face climate changes and associated risks, such as the supports provided by Iran Agricultural Insurance Fund, Damage-incurred Farmers Relief Fund, and some of the environment-related schemes, Dr. Farzin elaborated on BK-UNDP joint project, “Green Banking for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development”. The panel was followed by a series of questions raised by the panelists and forum participants.
Bank Keshavarzi of Iran was represented by a delegation including Dr. Shahverdi, the Executive Director of Credit and Investment Affairs; Nemationan, the manager of Research and Development Department; Farzin Mo’tamed, Manager of International Cooperation Department; and Sha’banzad, the chief expert of International Cooperation.
The 65th meeting of APRACA Executive Committee will follow the forum on December 2, 2014 with 15 members including Bank Keshavarzi as one of the important members of the Ex-com. According to Excom meeting agenda, Bank Keshavarzi delegation will have a report on the performance and initiatives of APRACA-BK Center of Excellence.
The message of Dr. Shahdizadeh, the new Chairman and CEO of Bank Keshavarzi, to APRACA members will be addressed in the Excom meeting. In addition, for the first time in the history of APRACA Ex-com meetings, Bank Keshavarzi’s report will be presented in a public speech addressing the Excom members and then with a video report focusing on the proposal and establishment stages of the center as well as the activities conducted in the first year of the operation including the international workshops and publication works.
