ECOWAS and UNDP DELIBERATE on Strategies for Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in West Africa.

Experts from various departments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are convening from in Abuja,  Nigeria, for a three (3) day meeting from May 27 to 29, 2024, to formulate solutions for the implementation of the resilience strategy in addressing natural disasters and conflicts in the region.

In her opening address, Prof. Fatou Sow SARR, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, delivered by Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the same Commission, underscired the significances of this retreat as a milestone in the collective efforts to enhance regional stability, peace, and development in West Africa.

Pr Fatou Sow SARR expressed the Commission‘s gratitude to the technical and financial partners, including the Swedish and Danish governments, and the UNDP, for their support in combating natural disasters linked to climate change, poor governance, various conflicts, violence, extreme poverty, terrorism, and food insecurity in member states.

Addressing the participants, Mr. José Gabriel Levy, Ph.D., Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, and H.E. Sune KROGSTRUP, Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria and Permanent Representative of Denmark to ECOWAS, acknowledged the devastating impact of climate change and insecurity on sub-Saharan African countries. They reiterated their commitment to remaining privileged partners of ECOWAS and called on the international community to intensify efforts to mobilize the necessary resources to combat these challenges, benefiting Africa in general, and ECOWAS and Sahel countries in particular.

During the workshop, the experts will ensure a shared understanding of the expected outcomes from the Regional Resilience Strategy for West Africa. They will also define the capacities that need strengthening, establish indicators to measure resilience progress in West Africa, and identify the pathways and components of the West Africa Strategy along with its institutional integration within the ECOWAS Commission.

The meeting will be attended by approximately 40 participants, including representatives from ECOWAS and UNDP, experts and partners, and members of the working group. The discussions will cover the following thematic areas: (i) Good governance, peace, and security; (ii) Macroeconomic resilience; (iii) Sustainable livelihoods; (iv) Social protection and resilience; (v) Gender sensitivity and social inclusion; and (vi) Climate change and disaster risk reduction.