The Insurance Development Forum and the French Development Agency Group have announced the formation of the Integrated Disaster Risk Management Alliance.

Agreed at the IDF Summit 2024, this strategic partnership aims to strengthen the long-term resilience of sovereign, sub-sovereigns and public utilities in the Global South to the impacts of climate disasters through new financial solutions.

Commenting on the launch, Michel Liès, chair of the IDF Steering Committee and chair of Zurich Insurance, said: “The IDF and its members are at the forefront of recognising the essential role of insurance in enhancing resilience and adaptation. This alliance with the AFD Group is a significant step forward in our mission to integrate disaster risk management with climate adaptation strategies.

"By embedding risk management measures and actions into financial solutions from the outset, we can offer better protection measures to sovereigns in addition to ensuring critical infrastructure in the Global South is resilient to disasters over the long-term. This partnership will also help protect essential services such as water and energy, ultimately enhancing the stability and sustainability of communities vulnerable to disaster impacts.”

Christine Poursat, head of AFD Financial Systems added: “Tackling the impacts of climate change requires an unprecedented effort across all sectors of society. The IDF and AFD Group’s joint commitment aims to accelerate the identification and adoption of comprehensive financial solutions to better protect against climate disaster risks. The alliance will leverage on the private insurance industry’s expertise and work closely with PDBs to develop robust solutions for vulnerable countries, enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate change.”

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