Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa - President, The OPEC Fund for International Development

The discussion highlights the importance of financial backing for scientific innovation in tackling climate change. Dr. Abdulhamid Al Khalifa, President of the OPEC Fund for International Development, explains that the fund focuses on maximizing development impact rather than profits. The OPEC Fund operates in over 125 countries, providing development assistance through government and private sector partnerships. They have set targets to align 25% of operations with climate finance by 2025 and aim for 40% by 2030. The fund has already surpassed its 2025 target, achieving 34% alignment. The OPEC Fund works at both policy and investment levels to combat climate change, particularly in the Global South. It is a South-South institution, understanding and advising partner countries closely.