Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE twenty-third Session of the Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR) has officially commenced here in Victoria Falls, bringing together key continental stakeholders to strategise on turning disaster risk reduction commitments into tangible action.
The high-level meeting, which will run until Thursday, is being held under the theme: “Moving from commitments to action: delivering on the Windhoek Declaration and the Africa Common Position to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025.”
The session is jointly organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Office for Africa (UNDRR-ROA), in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and hosted by Zimbabwe.
The AWGDRR, established as the principal continental coordination mechanism for DRR, will over the three days focus on key strategic issues.
These include developing a new implementation matrix for 2026-2030, advancing the Early Warning for All initiative, establishing an African DRR Financing Mechanism, and strengthening infrastructure resilience and inclusive risk reduction.
According to the conference concept note, the session aims to Review progress and define next steps from the previous meeting and Generate substantive inputs for the new plan to implement the Sendai Framework, the global blueprint for DRR.
The agenda features a packed programme of expert presentations, breakout sessions, and validation workshops.
A key highlight will be the official opening session on Wednesday, which will feature a keynote address by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe.
Minister Garwe is expected to articulate Zimbabwe’s commitment and the continental urgency in bolstering resilience against disasters.
The expected outcomes of the session are set to shape Africa’s DRR landscape for the next five years.
They include concrete recommendations to accelerate the Windhoek Declaration, an agreement on the path forward for a continental financing mechanism, and the finalization of the new 2026-2030 action matrix.
Delegates will also have an opportunity for a field visit to the Zambezi River area to observe local DRR practices, showcasing Zimbabwe’s proactive approach to managing disaster risks.
