STATEMENT

BY

H.E. AMB. JOSEFA SACKO

COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, BLUE

ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 9^TH AFRICA REGIONAL PLATFORM (AFRP) HIGH LEVEL SEGMENT HELD  ON 24TH OCTOBER 2024

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

• Your Excellency Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia

• Your Worship, Honourable Mayor of the City of Windhoek

• Distinguished Representatives from the African Union Member States
•  Mr. Kamal Kishore; Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR),
• Dear Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Points of the African Union Commission
• Dear Partners, Distinguished participants; Ladies and Gentlemen,
• All Protocol duly observed;

1. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the 9th Africa Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, hosted in the Republic of Namibia.

2. On behalf of the African Union Commission, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction (UNDRR), and all our partners for their tireless efforts in making this platform possible.

3. The Africa Regional Platform (AfRP) aims to review progress, gaps and challenges, and identify priority actions on implementation of the Programme of Action (PoA) for implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 20215-2030 in Africa.

4. This event provides a crucial opportunity for stakeholders from across the continent to gather, learn, and collaborate. This year, the platform brings together Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), youth, women, civil society groups, and academia for discussions, exhibitions, and side events focused on building resilience.

5. The African Union Commission, in collaboration with Member States and partners, continues to accelerate its efforts to strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction across the continent through a series of transformative initiatives and programmes.
   Among these, the Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for Resilience in African regions and countries project aims to enhance national and regional capacities to manage and reduce risks.

6. The Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) programme is leading the way in improving our preparedness for hazards. This programme, especially through the establishment of situation rooms and the provision of timely advisories, enables African countries to monitor and respond quickly to hazards, safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.

7. In the Sahel region, the African Union's efforts, in partnership with UNDP, to strengthen disaster risk reduction and adaptation for resilience are crucial in addressing the unique challenges faced by this region, particularly in adapting to climate-related risks and shocks.

8. As we approach the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2025, we invite all participants to actively contribute to shaping Africa's common position for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

9. The next five years are pivotal for accelerating the implementation of the Programme of Action (PoA) and the Sendai Framework. The ongoing work of the African Union Commission and its partners is key to ensuring a resilient and prepared Africa. Increased investment in disaster risk reduction is key in safeguarding the development gains made by the continent during the last four decades.

10. Join us on this important journey, and let your voice be heard. Together, we can build a safer and more resilient future for our continent.