Disaster Risk Reduction Summit concludes
The 9th Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) concluded last week with the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration, marking a strengthened commitment to advancing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in Africa.This declaration, setting priorities for the next three years, reinforces Africa's dedication to reducing disaster risks and building resilience.
The event, hosted by Namibia under the theme "Act Now for the Resilient Africa We Want", drew over 800 participants from across the continent, representing civil society, governments and international organizations.
Key discussions focused on risk governance, disaster risk financing, and the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on Southern Africa. Amid one of the worst droughts in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, which affects 58 million people, the platform underscored the urgent need for coordinated DRR efforts.
Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. John Mutorwa, opened the event, emphasising the value of shared experiences among African nations to strengthen DRR strategies. Kamal Kishore, UN Special Representative for DRR, and Ambassador Josepha Sacko, African Union’s Commissioner for Sustainable Development, highlighted the importance of the Africa Multi-Hazards Early Warning and Action System (AMHEWAS) in enhancing disaster preparedness and response.
The Windhoek Declaration calls for increased budgetary allocations and innovative financing solutions to support loss and damage recovery and the Early Warning for All initiative. It urges Member States to align DRR with sustainable development and climate resilience policies and enhance inclusivity by collecting disaggregated data to inform legislative and policy decisions.
Parliamentarians also pledged support through the first-ever Parliamentarian Forum to strengthen risk governance across African nations.
Outcomes from this platform will inform the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in December 2024 and the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in June 2025, where Africa’s unified position will shape the global DRR agenda.