The Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP) was launched on 4 September 2024. The high-level event took place at the inaugural Africa Urban Forum at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The continental framework on urban resilience was endorsed at the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council in February 2024. It aims to strengthen regional and national urban risk management policies, plans, and institutional capacities of member states to address urban risks.

Mr Sergio Baloi, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in Addis Ababa, launched the continental framework on behalf of H.E. Filipe Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, who is the AU Champion of Disaster Risk Management (DRM).

In his remarks, Mr Baloi underscored the importance of partnerships in developing the Programme. He rallied all stakeholders to collectively support the implementation of the Programme to enhance resilience and reduce disaster risks in urban Africa, which accounts for most of the reported disasters on the continent.

Quotes from the launch of the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP)

"The Africa Urban Resilience Programme builds on the Programme of Action for the implementation of the Sendai Framework in Africa 2015-2030 and on Agenda 2063. It's an opportunity to build thriving cities prepared for future challenges." - Dr. Jolly Wasambo, Coordinator of AUC ClimSA, representing the AU Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE).

"The Africa Urban Resilience Programme outlines a common path for climate-resilient and proof cities and called for an all-society approach in managing urban risk." - Ms Bärbel Höhn, Special Representative for Decentralised Energy Supply, Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany.

"Sweden is encouraged by the knowledge-sharing and partnership opportunities presented by the Africa Urban Resilience Programme. We are encouraged by the AU Commission and UNDP for their cooperation." - Joachim Beijmo, Head of Regional Development Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa.

"Africa has a unique chance to address urban sprawl through smart and innovative solutions and proper land use. UN-Habitat is committed to implementing the AURP through the Aqinile Partnership." - Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director, UN-Habitat.

"The launch of the Africa Urban Resilience Programme is a remarkable moment in Africa's urban agenda. Concerted and coordinated actions are required at all levels to

Implement the Programme fully." – Dr Zeynu Ummer, Director, UNDP Africa Resilience Hub.

About the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP)

The Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP) was developed by the African Union Commission (AUC) with the support of the Government of Sweden and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Sahel Resilience Project. The AURP is the continental framework aiming to strengthen regional and national urban risk management policies, plans, and institutional capacities of member states to address urban risks.

Additionally, the European Union, through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Intra-ACP Natural Disaster Risk Programme, played a catalytic role in supporting the development of the AURP.

About Resilience Initiative Africa

The 'Resilience Initiative Africa' (RIA) is a regional project supported by Germany that aims to increase the capacities of regional, national, local state and non-state actors for risk-informed urban development in Africa. One crucial part of RIA is the support to the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP). The project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and its project partners.

About the Aqinile Partnership (AUC-UNDP-UN-Habitat)

'Aqinile' which means 'They are strong, they can withstand', in the Zulu language, reflects the ethos and ambition for resilience building in urban Africa. UNDP, UN-Habitat, and the AUC have joined forces through the Aqinile partnership to deliver risk reduction and resilience-building efforts and accelerate risk-informed development on the continent. The partnership is an implementation mechanism of the Africa Urban Resilience Programme, promotes inter-sectoral coordination and advocates urban resilience among AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

For further information please contact:

Dr. Emmanuel Osuteye, Advisor, Urban Resilience| Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: osuteyee@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For media enquiry:

Mr Molalet Tsedeke | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-911-630 631 | E-mail: MolaletT@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communications Analyst – Disaster Risk Reduction | Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | African Union Commission | E-mail: MuriukiM@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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