Disaster risk management and climate action are amongst the priorities and new projects under discussion at the 57th joint meeting of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) held in Reykjavik, Iceland today, bringing together the bank's governing bodies, appointed officials and management.
"One of Iceland's priorities during our Presidency in the Council of Europe last year was the interlinkage between human rights and the environment. Iceland therefore welcomes the CEB's main theme this year focusing on the bank's significant role in supporting member states in disaster risk management, climate change and just transition, said Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannesson welcoming participants to the meeting.
In his opening ramarks, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge highlighted the fact that the meeting was taking place just one year after heads of state and government met for the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik, giving a "new and focused impetus" to address challenges facing the continent. "This country, and this city, are now part of the historic development of the Council of Europe and central to the current priorities of our Organisation". He stressed the importance of the Council of Europe's collective capacity to meet the priorities set out at the Summit, with the Council of Europe Development Bank playing a decisive and crucial role at a period of political and social strain in many parts of the continent. He drew specific attention to the way in which the Bank's loans and grants to Ukraine, and its environment-related investments, are making a significant contribution to the Council of Europe's overall aims.
Also addressing the meeting, Council of Europe Development Bank governor Carlo Monticelli spoke about the Bank´s contribution. "All CEB loans and grants, large and small, matter for strengthening the social fabric of our member countries and disaster risk management has long been a hallmark of the CEB, and today we are actively engaged with projects in 11 member countries, with loans of around €2 billion, aimed at preventing and managing the effects of earthquakes, flooding and wildfires."
Speech by the Deputy Secretary General
