of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage
Ibrahima Cheikh Diong
Mr. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, a seasoned development leader and global policy strategist, is the inaugural Executive Director of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). His appointment marked a fundamental milestone in the operationalization of the Fund, which aims to deliver critical financial support to developing countries most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
An experienced strategist with three decades of expertise in climate action, finance, and multilateral diplomacy, Mr. Diong is uniquely positioned to steer FRLD’s operationalization and ensure equitable support for communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. His career spans across disciplines, combining public service as a policy maker in Senegal, executive leadership roles in public and private finance, and high-impact roles in international organizations such as the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Diong served as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director General of the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group, a specialized agency of the African Union, where he spearheaded institutional reforms and scaled ARC’s work in disaster risk financing across Africa. Before joining the ARC Group, he served, amongst other senior roles, as a Special Representative of the President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters, Manager at the World Bank Group, Minister, Special Adviser to the President of Senegal, Permanent Secretariat of Energy of Senegal, Director General of International Cooperation of Senegal, Senior Africa Banker at BNP Paribas, Chairman of the National Airlines of Senegal, and Africa Director at Booz. Allen & Hamilton.
Fluent in English, French, and Mandarin Chinese, Mr. Diong holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs, specialized in international finance and environmental policy from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University.
