African Union

Representatives from the Tunisian Red Crescent and UNISDR pose for a photo at the conclusion of the event The Africa-Arab Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) concluded on Saturday, 13 October in Tunis, Tunisia, with the adoption of two declarations: the Tunis Declaration on DDR by the Fourth Arab Conference on DDR; and the Tunis Declaration on Accelerating the Implementation of the Sendai Framework and the African Regional Strategy for DDR by the Sixth High-level Meeting.The Africa-Arab Platform celebrated the International Day for Disaster Reduction with an inaugural media award in recognition of reporting on the continent, and the role of the media in raising awareness around disasters, and forming a stronger network for resilience.During the closing session, Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, UNISDR, noted that the meeting had shone a light on some of the greatest challenges facing DRR and the need to focus on "building back better" and catalyzing action for gender parity. She emphasized that disaster risk management (DRM) would never reach its full potential without adopting a people-centered approach. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, expressed: gratitude to the Ministers for charting a vision; intention to work with AU partners to implement the Tunis Declaration; and the need for effective partnership and collaboration.Abdellatif Abid, Assistant Secretary General of League of Arab States, highlighted ties between Arab states and the African Union, noting that the Platform has provided governments and stakeholders an opportunity to take stock of progress towards implementation of the Sendai Framework. Riad Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia, closed the meeting at 5:56 pm, expressing hope that all stakeholders would do their part to support implementation of the Sendai Framework. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily coverage and a summary report from the Africa-Arab Platform on DRR. In addition, IISD Reporting Services will publish a summary report of the meeting on Tuesday, 16 October 2018. Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Africa Ministerial Plenary Ben Moussa Habib, Scientific Advisor of the Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), UNISDR Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture Nazir Soobratty, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mauritius Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia Maimuna Tarishi, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, Tanzania Special Session: Towards Resilient Infrastructure in the Arab Region L-R: Ragy Saro, UNISDR; Ahmed Majid Bahri Al-Zerkan, Ministry of Environment, Iraq; Slah Zouri, Bridges and Road Equipment Ministry, Tunisia; Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR; Jalal Al Dabbeek, DRR Center at An Najah National University, Palestine; and Nuha Eltinay, Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) Nuha Eltinay, AUDI Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR Jalal Al Dabbeek, DRR Center at An Najah National University, Palestine Slah Zouari, Bridges and Road Equipment Ministry, Tunisia Ahmed Majid Bahri Al-Zerkan, Ministry of Environment, Iraq Mark Harvey, Resurgence  Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR and Nuha Eltinay, AUDI, share a light moment Arab Ministerial Plenary L-R: Abdellatif Obaid, Vice Secretary General, League of Arab States, Chokri Ben Hassen, Secretary of State for Legal Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), UNISDR Sghaier Ben Jeddou, Agence de Protection et D'amenagement du Littoral, Tunisia, presents the draft Tunis Decleration on DRR Abel Badir el Riyahi, Ministry of Environment, Iraq, makes a comment International Day for Disaster Reduction and Media Award David Owino, Disaster Risk Reduction Network of Africa Journalists (DIRAJ) L-R: Hosam El-Sokkari, Media and Communications Consultant; David Owino, DIRAJ, and Mami Mizutori, UNISDR, pose with the winners of the DRR Media Award Closing Ceremony L-R: Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; Mami Mizutori, UNISDR; and Abdellatif Obaid, Vice Secretary General, League of Arab States Abdellatif Abid, Assistant Secretary General, League of Arab States Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia and Mami Mizutori, UNISDR Participants and panelists pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the event Around the Venue      

L-R: Jean D'Cunha, UN Women; Kirsi Madi, Director, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR); Amjad Mohamed-Saleem, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Adalah Atteereh, Minister of Environment, Palestine; Iman Rafei, Deputy Governor, Zgharta District, Lebanon; and Richard Asaba Bagonza, Kampala International University, Uganda The Africa-Arab Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) continued on Friday, 12 October in Tunis, Tunisia. IISD/RS covered a selection of sessions on: gender inclusive DRR; partnership for DRR; and DDR in a fragile and conflict context. The session on gender inclusive DRR underscored: the gender dimensions of climate change and how gender focused research can highlight the magnitude of risks faced by men and women; boys and girls; youth; people with disabilities; and other disadvantaged groups. During the session on partnership for DRR, participants considered the role of scientific evidence-based assessments for strengthening intergovernmental processes around DRR and how enhancing participatory, self-led meaningful engagement is key to successful partnerships. A special session on DRR in a fragile and conflict context addressed the global trend of increased vulnerability to disaster and how empowering women has led to environmental and social gains, reinforcing the need to empower local leadership in the absence of state leadership.In the afternoon, an Africa-Arab High-Level Session focused on enhancing coherence among DRR, climate change and SDGs for inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in Africa and Arab regions. Participants compared progress on integrating the Sendai Framework with the post-2015 processes such as the SDGs, and Paris Agreement within the Africa and Arab States, and identified common areas of interest for the two regions for future collaboration.Arab States and Africa plenary sessions provided participants an opportunity to reflect and comment on the draft Tunis declaration for the sixth high-level meeting on DRR. In the evening, participants attended a reception hosted by the Government of Tunisia. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, is provided daily coverage and a summary report from the Africa-Arab Platform on DRR. Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Working Session 5: Gender Inclusive DRR Kirsi Madi, Director, UNISDR Adalah Atteereh, Minister of Environment, Palestine Amjad Mohamed-Saleem, IFRC Richard Asaba Bagonza, Kampala International University, Uganda Iman Rafei, Deputy Governor, Zgharta District, Lebanon Jean D'Cunha, UN Women, addresses the room Working Session 6: Partnership for DRR L-R: Chadi Abdallah, National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS); Ibrahim Adam El Dukheri, Director-General, Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD); Dominique Kuitsouc, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), African Union; Quamrul Chowdhury, Lead Climate Negotiator, LDC States; Reda Shmait, UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UN-MGCY); and Ailsa Holloway, Director, Periperi U Secretariat Ibrahim Adam El Dukheri, Director-General, AOAD Reda Shmait, UN-MGCY Quamrul Chowdhury, Lead Climate Negotiator, LDCs Ailsa Holloway, Periperi U Chadi Abdallah, CNRS Dominique Kuitsouc, ECCAS Disaster Risk Reduction in a Fragile and Conflict Context: National and Local Perspectives L-R: Nina Stuurman, International Organization for Migration (IOM); Katie Peters, ODI; Hamza Said Hamza, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Somalia; Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO; and Banak Dei Wal, Director General of Disaster Management, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, South Sudan Abdessalam Ould Ahmed, FAO Nina Stuurman, IOM, and Katie Peters, ODI Banak Dei Wal, Director General of Disaster Management, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, South Sudan Hamza Said Hamza, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Somalia A participant intervenes during the discussion session A participant engages in discussions with panelists Africa-Arab Official Statements Damene Darota, Deputy Commissioner, Ethiopia Soltan Saad Al-Moraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Qatar Africa-Arab High-Level Session: Enhancing Coherence Among DRR, Climate Change and SDGs for Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Development in Africa and Arab Regions L-R: Jill De Villiers, Executive Producer, CNBC Africa; Khangeziwe Mabuza, Principal Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, eSwatini; Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), UNISDR; Adalah Atteereh, Minister of Environment, Palestine; Sheikh Saleh Habimana, Ambassador of Rwanda to Tunisia; and Nada Al-Agizy, Director, Sustainable Development and International Cooperation, League of Arab States Khangeziwe Mabuza, Principal Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, eSwatini L-R: Jill De Villiers, CNBC Africa, and Khangeziwe Mabuza, Principal Secretary, Prime Minister Office, eSwatini Mami Mizutori, UNISDR Nada Al-Agizy, Director, Sustainable Development and International Cooperation, League of Arab States Sheikh Saleh Habimana, Ambassador of Rwanda to Tunisia Panelists pose for a photograph Tunis Declaration Draft Discussions A view of the room during consideration of the draft Tunis declaration by the Arab States Habib Ben Moussa, Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia and Amjad Abbashar, Chief, UNISDR Regional Office for Africa co-chaired the African drafting committee Around the Venue    

L-R: Kirsi Madi, Director, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR); Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; and Abdellatif Obaid, Vice Secretary General, League of Arab States The Africa-Arab Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) officially opened on Thursday, 11 October in Tunis, Tunisia.In welcoming remarks, Kirsi Madi, Director, UNISDR, urged countries that have not done so to adopt national strategies, and move from planning to implementation while recognizing links between DRR, climate change, and the SDGs. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, welcomed the cooperation between African and Arab States in this first joint event on DRR, and highlighted the need for States to invest in DRR as a matter of survival. Abdellatif Obaid, Vice Secretary General, League of Arab States said efforts were underway to establish an Arab-Africa fund for DRR. Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia, described the DRR challenges faced by Tunisia and responses, including work on a national DRR strategy through an inclusive process.IISD/RS covered some of the working sessions that took place during the day, including: Economics of DRR: Risk-informed development and investment in disaster and climate risks management; DRR strategies: Stepping up efforts towards achieving target (e) of the Sendai Framework by 2020 – progress made at sub-regional, national and local levels; National perspectives on the role of disaster prevention, preparedness, early warning, response and recovery in achieving resilient, inclusive and sustainable development in Africa and Arab States; and Climate and disaster risk: Engaging local communities for inclusive DRM. In addition, a side event on linking DRR, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development through the human security approach; and an event to commemorate World Tsunami Awareness Day were also covered. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily coverage and a summary report from the Africa-Arab Platform on DRR.   Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Official Opening Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia Kirsi Madi, Director, UNISDR Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture Abdellatif Obaid, Vice Secretary General, League of Arab States Key Presentations Amjad Abbashar, Chief, UNISDR Regional Office for Africa Gatkuoth Kai, African Union Commission Saloua Khiari, Governor of Nabeul, Tunisia Sign language interpretation during the session Members of the media Participants greet each other before the session Working Session 1: Economics of DRR Pier Paolo Balladelli, UNDP, Angola Thandi Mwape, Partners for Resilience (PrR) Orsola Lussignoli, BMZ, Germany Roberto Rudari, CIMA Research Foundation Thandi Mwape, PrR, and Fadi Hamdan, Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) A participants poses a question to the panel Working Session 2: DRR Strategies L-R: María Mercedes Martínez, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Jo Scheuer, Director for Climate Change and DRR, UNDP; Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR; Chokri Ben Hassen, Secretary of State for Legal Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; Hazar Belli Abdel Kefi, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Tunisia; Stern Mwakalimi Kita, Department of Disaster Management Affairs, Malawi; and Khaled Abu Aisheh, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Jordan Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR Chokri Ben Hassen, Secretary of State for Legal Affairs and Environment, Tunisia Hazar Belli Abdelkefi, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Tunisia Stern Mwakalimi Kita, Department of Disaster Management Affairs, Malawi Jo Scheuer, Director for Climate Change and DRR, UNDP Khaled Abu Aisheh, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Jordan María Mercedes Martínez, María Mercedes Martínez, IFRC Participants listen to the discussion Working Session 3: The Role of Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Early Warning, Response and Recovery in Achieving Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Africa and Arab States L-R: Elizabeth Petheo, Miyamoto international; Donna Pierre, Climate Risks and Early Warning Systems (CREWS); Khaled Al-Mekarad, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate, Kuwait; Iyad Nasr, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); and Hafsa Ahmed, Risk Manager, Sudan Habsa Ahmed, Risk Manager, Sudan Khaled Al-Mekarad, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate, Kuwait Iyad Nasr, UN OCHA Donna Pierre, CREWS Working Session 4: Climate and Disaster Risk: Engaging Communities for Inclusive Disaster Risk Management Tabi Joda, Global Non-state Actors DRR Network Wadid Erian Mansour, University of Cairo, Egypt Ibidun Adelekan, University of Ibadan, Nigeria Panelists pose for a photograph Nuha Eltinay, Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) Participants listen to the discussion Linking Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Development through the Human Security Approach Fadi Hamdan, DRMC Sheikh Saleh Habimana, Ambassador of Rwanda to Tunisia Nada El-aguizy, League of Arab States Nicholas Novelli, Yale University, US Nada El-aguizy, League of Arab States; Sheikh Saleh Habimana, Ambassador of Rwanda to Tunisia; Kirsi Madi, Director, UNISDR; Fadi Hamdan, DRMC; and Nicholas Novelli, Yale University, US Commemoration of the World Tsunami Awareness Day The panel during the session Hosam El-Sokkari, Media and Communication Consultant Omran Kamzari, Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs, Oman and Gina Bonne, Indian Ocean Commission Denis Chang Seng, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO Around the Venue  

Participants from the Media Orientation event, organized by UNISDR, pose for a group photo Preparations for the Africa-Arab Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) continued on Wednesday, 10 October, in Tunis, Tunisia. IISD/RS covered a selection of pre-conference events, on: making cities sustainable and resilient; a regional assessment report for DRR for the Arab States; a regional orientation and consultation for Africa and Arab States on a strategic approach to capacity development for the implementation of the Sendai Framework; an intergenerational dialogue on underlying disaster risk drivers; and multi-sectoral governance in the implementation of the Sendai Framework at the local level.The event on making cities sustainable and resilient discussed: linking national DRR strategies to city implementation; using the UNISDR Disaster Resilience Scorecard across the Arab region; and increasing investments in community engagement and communication.Efforts to develop a regional assessment report for DRR for the Arab Region were supported by participants in an event organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) in the morning, who expressed that such a report would help to fill a void for DRR policy makers in the region, where relevant information for decision-making is still lacking.A global project on a strategic approach to capacity development for risk-informed sustainable development by 2030 was discussed in the afternoon. The project described the four building blocks for effective capacity development as being: demand-driven and needs based; government owned and led; coherent within and between all levels of government; and practicable, replicable and localized.An intergenerational dialogue on underlying disaster risk drivers in the afternoon highlighted the importance of involving youth in every stage of disaster risk management, and the complex links between migration and disaster risk.The session on multi-sectoral governance in the implementation of the Sendai Framework at the local level discussed examples from projects in Africa, while identifying challenges and opportunities in promoting DRR efforts at the local level. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily coverage and a summary report from the Africa-Arab Platform on DRR.   Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Making Cities Sustainable and Resilient Mark Harvey, CEO, Resurgence, and Nuha Eltinay, Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) Yetunde Abdul, BRE Trust Participants listen to discussions A participant takes notes during the discussion Bijay Kumar, Executive Director, The Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction, poses a question to the panel Regional Assessment Report for DRR for the Arab States Chadi Abdallah, National Council for Scientific Research, Lebanon, presents during the session Katie Peters, Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Hafsa Ahmed, Humanitarian Aid Commission, listens to the presentation Africa and Arab States Regional Orientation and Consultation on Strategic Approach to Capacity Development for Implementation of the Sendai Framework Sanjaya Bhatia, UNISDR, frames discussions Celestine Collins, Kenya A participant reacts during the session Quamrul Chowdhury, Bangladesh, addresses the room Intergenerational Dialogue on Underlying Disaster Risk Drivers Sandra Delali Kemeh, UN Major Group for Children and Youth, facilitates discussion Fatou Jeng, UN Major Group for Children and Youth Babatunde Iyanda, African Risk Capacity Nuha Eltinay, AUDI A view of the room during the session Multi-sectoral Governance in the Implementation of the Sendai Framework at the Local Level Doris Chandi Ombara, City Manager, City of Kisumu, Kenya Samuel Sserunkuma, Deputy Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Uganda Moderator Tarryn Quayle, ICLEI Africa A participant reviews event literature Samuel Sserunkuma, Deputy Executive Director, KCCA, Uganda; Doris Chandi Ombara, City Manager, City of Kisumu, Kenya; and Abdou Sane, UNISDR Champion for DRR, Senegal Other Events Around the Venue