In a decisive move to implement Agenda 2063's critical aspiration of integrating disaster risk reduction into Africa's sustainable development frameworks, the African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Africa (ROA),       in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),      and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda, successfully concluded the 22nd Session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR) and the Africa Regional Programme Steering Committee (A-RPSC) meetings from 14-17 April 2025.

"These deliberations have successfully transitioned us from policy formulation to actionable implementation frameworks," stated Dr. Fatima Zahra Jihane EL Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment       Division, during her speech      on behalf of H.E. Commissioner Moses Vilakati. "Through operationalizing the Windhoek Declaration with measurable interventions, we are fulfilling our collective commitment to safeguard African communities and economies against escalating disaster risks."

Dr. Fatima emphasized the critical importance of multi-level engagement     : "Every stakeholder—     whether operating at continental, regional, national, or subnational      levels—     must fully assume their responsibility in advancing risk-sensitive development across Africa. Our collective success depends on each institution's designated role in this vital transformation."

The AWGDRR, established to provide technical and coordination support to Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and partners in implementing the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, has been instrumental in advancing continental resilience efforts. Since its inception in 2011, the Working Group has convened 21 in-person and three      virtual sessions, and its evidence-based recommendations have significantly contributed to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development across Africa.

In her keynote address, Hon. Lillian Aber, Uganda's Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, outlined the session's strategic priorities: "We are focusing on four transformative pillars: advanced multi-hazard early warning systems, innovative financing mechanisms, strategic engagement with the G20 DRR Working Group, and concrete implementation of our voluntary commitments from the 9th Africa Regional Platform."

Minister Aber emphasized the collaborative nature of the outcomes: "The draft Africa Common Position for GP2025 represents our continent's unified voice on the global stage. These documents provide the roadmap      to turn policy commitments into life-saving actions for our communities."

Held under the theme "From Commitments to Action: Delivering on the Windhoek Declaration," the 4-day           high-level forum brought together      technical experts      and development partners      to advance practical implementation of Africa's disaster risk reduction agenda, including                     Ms. Joselyn Bigirwa, IGAD Head of Mission      to the Republic of Uganda/Dr. Ahmed Amdihun, Programme Manager, IGAD Disaster Risk Management Programme, Mr. Leonard Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Mr. Huw Beynon, Deputy Chief, UNDRR Regional Office for Africa, and      representatives from AU Member States and financial      institutions.

The meeting produced three key outcomes: A draft Africa Common Position for GP2025 outlining continental priorities for the upcoming Global Platform for DRR in Geneva; The Kampala Action Plan (2025-2028) establishing mechanisms to mainstream DRR into national development planning; and the Implementation Framework for operationalizing the Windhoek Declaration over the next three years.

"These outcomes demonstrate Africa's determination to transform DRR policies into concrete actions to protect our communities," stated H.E. Hon. Lillian Aber, highlighting how these frameworks advance Agenda 2063's aspirations for environmental sustainability. The results will be presented to the AU Specialized Technical Committee, the Global Platform for DRR 2025, and the upcoming Africa Climate Summit to guide continental disaster risk reduction efforts.

About the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR)

Reconstituted following the request of the Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (Nairobi, April 2010), the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR) has been playing a significant role in providing technical support to the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AU Member States and partners for the coordination and implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and its Programme of Action. The AU Commission chairs the Working Group, while the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), through its Regional Office for Africa (RoA), serves as the Secretariat.

The Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction is supported by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF 11). The 22nd session of the AWGDRR was also supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

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Ms Teresa Pinto, Technical Coordinator, Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: PintoT@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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