11th Session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (Extended)
Disaster risk reduction continues to gain momentum and recognition in Africa, given its irreplaceable role in achieving sustainable development and building resilience on the continent. This is evident from a broad range of steps taken at all levels, including at the policy level, since the Tenth session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR)that was held on 7-8 March 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the view of translating the Sendai Framework and its Africa Programme of Action into action. Key milestone achievements recorded since the Tenth session of the AWGDRR include: (i) broad and at the highest-level participation of Africa in the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 22-26 May 2017, Cancun, Mexico[1]; and (ii) endorsement of and presentation of the Common African Position to the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Platform.
Reconstituted following the request of the Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (Nairobi, April 2010), the AWG has been playing an important role in providing technical support to the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, Member States and partners for the coordination and implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and its Programme of Action.
The Group meets biannually wherein the Core Group and Extended Group meet alternatively. Ten such sessions of the AWG have been convened so far.
This Eleventh Session is expected to identify concrete follow-up actions for its implementation. The Group is also expected to identify priority activities from the Matrix of the Programme of Action for the Implementation of Sendai Framework in Africa to enable AUC to prepare a work plan for implementing the PoA during 2017/18-2020, besides reviewing regional progress in disaster risk reduction as well as Africa’s participation in and contribution to the Global Platform. Moreover, there will be a session devoted to discussion of Youth engagement in the implementation of the Sendai Framework and its Africa Programme of Action as a key step in translating words into action towards the implementation of the African Union Roadmap on Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth.