The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resilience Hub in Nairobi and the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), recently held a roundtable discussion to re-examine the concept of resilience and its critical dimensions in the African context. The meeting was held 1-3 October 2023 in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.

During the workshop, the roundtable critically reviewed the Roots of African Resilience (ROAR) document. ROAR was developed through a research project whose aim was to create a resilience conceptual paper and a resilience measurement framework. Participants discussed enhancing Africa's resilience in critical areas: social, economic, environmental, governance and infrastructure.

Mr Gatkuoth Kai, the AUC Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction, read the opening remarks on behalf of Mr Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, the AUC Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE). Mr Kai noted that "ROAR aims at re-examining the concept of resilience and its critical dimensions in the African context. The increasing number of transboundary disasters caused by natural hazards confirm the IPCC reports that such disasters will continue to increase in magnitude and frequency." 

Mr Kai further appreciated the support by UNDP, noting that "I highly commend UNDP for its consistent support to the African Union Commission through major programmes such as the Sahel Resilience Project; the Africa Urban Resilience Programme and the Africa Multi-hazard Early Warning and Early Action Systems (AMHEWAS). These programmes are making a difference in supporting member states to build resilience to disasters on the continent."

Mr Kai acknowledged the participation of the AUC's departments and AU Agencies in the event. He expressed his gratitude to the technical teams from the various departments – noting that "this is a milestone in formulating one AU resilience agenda".

Dr Zeynu Ummer, the Manager of the UNDP Resilience Hub, highlighted the importance of ROAR in strengthening cooperation and collaboration in resilience building. "Resilience building is a collective issue. ROAR is a crucial tool for looking into in-depth resilience building. Some opportunities can enable us to support this initiative. Through existing data and informed research, it's emerging that the majority of the population in Africa will live in urban areas soon. Collaborating with AUC is needed to increase resilience and address risk issues. In this process, we must also align with the existing instruments, including the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, the AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032), and Agenda 2063," Dr Zeynu stated.

On his part, Dr Ronald Jackson, Head of the UNDP's Global Team for Disaster Risk Reduction, Recovery for Building Resilience, called for increased attention on strengthening disaster resilience at all levels' Dr Jackson said, "Disaster risk management is everyone's business. Adverse events have far-reaching impacts on a global, regional, and national scale and local communities. The link between sustainability and resilience is yet to be well articulated. Emergency and risk management institutions and agencies often lack the resources and tools to respond effectively to crises and emergencies. There is a need to recognise that countries are at different levels in development and resilience."

Dr Paul Ladd, Director at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), highlighted the role played by the institution. He elaborated, "UNRISD, since its establishment in 1963, has addressed the development agenda, working progress development agenda, particularly on social policy, working with a multi-sector network that comprises academia, researchers and think tanks. There is a need for critical balance between "Speed" (GDP growth) and "Strength" (Resilience) in ensuring a globally balanced environment where long-term development can be sustained."

The ROAR interdepartmental roundtable brought together AUC's Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE); Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), Infrastructure and Energy, Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), Directorate of Women, Gender and Youth (WGYD) and the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE) Directorate of ARBE is the custodian of the initiative.

A multi-organisational task team was constituted, and it will now review the document based on the recommendations from the roundtable and consolidate the ROAR by finalising the AUC ROAR Common Guideline for Resilience for the next policy steps. 

About the Roots of African Resilience (ROAR)

The ultimate goal of the Roots of African Resilience (ROAR) is to strengthen coordination of resilience building on the continent through developing holistic short and long-term effective resilience programmes, policies and projects and measuring achievements and gaps in the fundamental dimensions of resilience across the continent. The ROAR approach is piloted in Mozambique, Madagascar and the Kingdom of Eswatini. ROAR represents a collaborative effort between AUC and the UNDP Resilience Hub in Nairobi, in partnership with the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and with support from the Norwegian Capacity (NORCAP). The partnership is premised on the Aide-Mémoire between AUC and UNDP. On the UNDP side, the ROAR will provide technical guidance for the forthcoming Flagship UNDP Africa Human Development Report, influencing policy formulation for risk-informed development in Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Gatkuoth Kai| Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction| Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, | E-mail: KaiG@africa-union.org | WhatsApp: +251 909537884

For media enquiry:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate | African Union Commission|+251-911-630 631; Molalett@africa-union.org

Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communications Analyst, Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, AU Commission. Email: MuriukiM@africa-union.orgInformation and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I

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