Niël Terblanché
Governments, regional, and civil society organizations from across Africa are set to gather in Windhoek for the 9th African Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP-9) and the 8th High-Level Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction.
According to a statement released by the United Nations the conference set down for 22 to 24 October, comes at a time when Africa faces escalating natural disasters, including persistent droughts, extreme flooding, and intensifying cyclones.
Under the theme “The Resilient Africa We Want,” the forum aims to chart a new course for the continent, tackling these shared challenges head-on by focusing on practical solutions to break the repetitive cycle of disaster-response-recovery.
The event is not only an opportunity to discuss solutions but also a catalyst for change aimed at building a more resilient future for all Africans.
The AfRP is Africa’s premier platform for creating resilience and disaster risk reduction, taking place every three years.
It provides an essential space for policymakers, disaster risk reduction practitioners, civil society, and the private sector to come together, renew commitments, and share insights gained from the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
This global roadmap, which aims to reduce disaster risks and build safer communities, will be at the forefront of discussions as Africa seeks to adapt and strengthen its response to climate-related disasters.
Participants in the forum include national and local governments, regional economic communities, civil society organizations, development partners, and private sector leaders.
These key stakeholders will work collaboratively to assess Africa’s progress in disaster risk reduction and share critical lessons learned from recent experiences.
More than just another conference, the event seeks to inspire action that will safeguard Africa from the growing threats posed by climate change and environmental degradation.
The highlight of the AfRP-9 will be the anticipated contributions from prominent leaders such as Kamal Kishore, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, the African Union Commission (AUC) Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE).
According to the statement, these speakers are expected to provide strategic insights on how to better prepare African nations for future disasters, ensuring the resilience of communities across the continent.
One of the major outcomes of the forum will be the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration, a landmark document that will set out Africa’s disaster risk reduction priorities for the next three years.
The declaration, which follows the adoption of the Pact for the Future at the United Nations General Assembly, will reaffirm Africa’s commitment to bolstering its resilience in the face of increasing environmental challenges.
The UN said in the statement that the outcomes of this conference are expected to have a lasting impact on Africa’s ability to protect its people and infrastructure from climate-related disasters.
“The hope is that the forum will inspire new commitments, stronger collaborations, and effective strategies for building the resilient Africa that its people deserve,” the statement reads.
