Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), concluded a week of impactful engagements at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), in Dubai.
As a key member of the U.S. delegation, Chair Lewis affirmed EXIM’s unwavering commitment to supporting renewable and low-carbon U.S. exports, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Export Import Bank of Korea.
The eventful week showcased EXIM’s dedication to climate finance, with Chair Lewis highlighting the agency’s remarkable support exceeding $1 billion for climate initiatives in Fiscal Year 2023.
This financial backing has not only propelled environmental efforts but also bolstered the U.S. economy by creating 4,700 American jobs.
Chair Lewis’s activities included crucial bilateral meetings with energy officials from Romania, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, underscoring the global collaborative efforts to address pressing climate challenges.
The week commenced with a keynote address by Chair Lewis at an event hosted by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), emphasizing the role of EXIM financing in amplifying U.S. clean technology exports.
A significant announcement came on Tuesday, with Chair Lewis revealing the EXIM Board of Directors’ approval of a resolution supporting applications for the export of U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) systems.
This aligns with EXIM’s commitment to advancing clean technology solutions globally, further reinforced by the introduction of a new SMR financing toolkit.
Participation in a panel discussion at the COP28 Energy Transition Hub, focusing on catalyzing finance for key climate infrastructure objectives, showcased EXIM’s leadership in the climate finance arena. Chair Lewis, joined by SunAfrica CEO Adam Cortese, highlighted the historic $900 million solar energy project in Angola, authorized earlier in the year and featured in a White House Fact Sheet.
Wednesday saw Chair Lewis delivering closing remarks at a U.S. Center event centered on global partnerships to advance climate solutions. The event included discussions with high-ranking officials such as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Largo and U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh Ebong.
The latter part of the week involved a roundtable discussion with the President’s Export Council, focusing on the pivotal role the council can play in supporting efforts to combat climate change. Chair Lewis also engaged in various events, including a business roundtable discussion hosted by C2ES and Barclays, a high-level event on scaling up international partnerships for Africa, and a fireside chat on decarbonization.
The pinnacle of the week’s achievements occurred on Thursday, as Chair Lewis and Hee-Sung Yoon, Chairman and President of the Export Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate financing collaboration on renewable energy and zero-carbon technology projects.
EXIM’s exceptional commitment to climate projects, surpassing $1 billion in fiscal year 2023, stands as a testament to the agency’s fulfillment of its congressional mandate and its pivotal role in propelling the global transition towards a sustainable future.
