INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: Commemoration of the 2022 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) and Launching of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Frameworks. 

Highlights for the media:  

·       Speeches by: the President of Mozambique, Commissioner of AUC, and high-level representatives of UNDRR;

·       Launch of the DRR Frameworks   

·       Press conference, and 

·       Group photo  

When: Thursday, 13 October 2022

Time: 9:00AM-12:15 PM GMT+2 

Where: Maputo, Mozambique (Joaquim Chissano International Conference Center)

Registration is required in advance and confirmation email containing information about joining the event will be issued. 

Who: The meeting will be organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) through the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE); and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), in collaboration with the government of Mozambique. 

Why: Due to the importance of DRR in the attainment of the Agenda 2063: the Africa we want, a significant political development has taken central stage when the African Union Heads of State and Government, at the 35th Assembly of the Union, held from 5-6 February 2022, appointed His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, as African Union Champion for Disaster Risk Management.   

The AU Champion for DRR has developed a roadmap to guide his actions during an initial period of three (years), from 2022-2024. To begin the implementation of his roadmap, a Commemoration of the 2022 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as, launching of DRR Frameworks, is planned for 13^th October 2022. 

Objectives: The overall objective of the Commemoration of the 2022 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as, launching of DRR Frameworks is to reinforce advocacy on disaster risk reduction in Africa and give a clear indication of the AU political commitment to strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems for early action.

Expected Outcomes:

The event will have the following outcomes:

·         Increase the visibility of ongoing efforts by the African Union Commission (AUC) to address disaster risk reduction, and also based on the theme of the commemoration on multi-hazard early warning for early action. 

·         Raise the visibility on the efforts by the AU DRM Champion of DRR, including the implementation of his roadmap 2022-2024. 

·         Increase the visibility of the best practices in DRR by other AU partners such as the IFRC, UNDRR and many others. 

Participants:

The meeting will bring together high level participants including the President of Mozambique, H.E. President Felipe Nyusi who is the current AU Champion of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and representatives from the Government of Mozambique. Other high level participants include the AU ARBE Commissioner, Amb. Josefa L.C. Sacko, the UN Secretary General Special Representative for DRR, Ms. Mami Mizutori, the Director General of the African Risk Capacity (ARC), and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 

Representatives of the media are invited to attend and cover the event scheduled to be held on Thursday 13th October 2022 starting from 9:00hrs Maputo Time.

For further information:

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

For media enquiry please contact:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke | Media and Communication Officer| African Union Commission | Email: MolaletT@africa-union.org; WhatsApp: +251-911-630 631   

More information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission,   E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.africa I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube