African Development Bank

Committee Profile

The African Development Bank’s Executive Board of Directors (EBOD) is the principal governance body responsible for overseeing the operations, strategies, and policies of the African Development Bank Group. This committee plays a critical role in shaping the economic as well as social development landscape in the African continent. The EBOD’s overarching mission is to advance Africa’s current and future development through regional cooperation, effective financial management, and strategic policy formulation. 

The EBOD addresses issues such as climate change, socio-economic inequality, and challenges posed by global economic fluctuations. Recent initiatives include advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), supporting climate resilience programs, and responding to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is imperative that the EBOD continues to develop and spread sustainable financial architecture. This includes mobilizing resources for climate resilience projects, from green bonds to climate adaptation funds. It’s a goal to steer the continent toward a future where sustainable practices are not just aspirations but realities.  

Furthermore, the EBOD blends innovation with inclusivity and is working towards breaking down financial barriers for women. This committee’s goal is to foster a landscape where women can reach their full potential as leaders, innovators, and contributors to Africa’s economic growth. Initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurship Fund and the African Women’s Leadership Program open doors for women to succeed in the economic sphere. 

The Board’s work is not merely about managing funds but about charting a course for sustainable development and social progress across the continent. Although significant progress has been made, the Board’s goals remain unrealized. The EBOD stands at the forefront of Africa’s development journey, working to create a world where economic opportunity and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.  

Chair Letter

Greetings Delegates!

My name is Isabella Jones and I’m so excited to serve as the Chair for the African Development Bank Committee at BruinMUN 2023. I’m a third-year Political Science and Economics major from San Francisco (yes, the actual city). Outside of classes, I’m very passionate about fashion and making/eating food. Despite having very similar academic interests to my fellow teammates, I had no idea what MUN was until finding UCLA MUN.

As a sophomore at UCLA I still felt very new and felt deprived of a sense of community. I tried to join clubs but none really stuck. I thought back to what I enjoyed most about my freshman year, a Political Science honors seminar that I took. I remembered two of my classmates talking about being in MUN at UCLA, so I decided to message one of them to ask more about it. Leading up to the tryout, during, and after I was incredibly confused and did not understand what MUN really was (like at all), but I somehow made it on the team so I decided to give it a shot. I felt so intimidated during training, but it felt good to push myself out of my comfort zone. I traveled and competed at SBIMUN and had an amazing time, it felt so easy to make friends and feel a part of something. I went on to compete at UCBMUN and then staffed LAMUN. Although my MUN career has been short, I’m so ready for more.

The African Development Bank is controlled by a Board of Executive Directors that has 54 members, representing each nation belonging to the AfDB. However, each representative’s voting weight depends on the member country’s share size. The AfDB’s mission is to fight poverty in Africa, specifically through promoting investment in both public and private capital. As delegates of this committee, your job is to find creative, diplomatic solutions to this ongoing problem. The issues you’ll be discussing are very real and very relevant in our world today so I am confident that you will be well researched and you handle these topics with tact and sensitivity.

Sincerely,

Isabella Jones | Chair, AfDB | BruinMUN 32

adb@bruinmun.org