ECOWAS collaborates with UNDP on disaster risk reduction strategies

Experts from various departments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are convening in Abuja, Nigeria, for a three-day meeting from May 27 to 29, 2024. The aim is to formulate solutions for implementing resilience strategies to address 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, underscored the significance of this retreat as a milestone in collective efforts to enhance regional stability, peace, and development in West Africa.

Prof. Fatou Sow SARR expressed the Commission's gratitude to 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 necessary resources to combat these challenges.

During the workshop, experts will ensure a shared understanding of expected outcomes from the Regional Resilience Strategy for West Africa. They will define capacities that need strengthening, establish indicators to measure resilience progress in West Africa, and identify 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 as well as members of the working group. Discussions will cover thematic areas such as good governance; peace; security; macroeconomic resilience; sustainable livelihoods; social protection; gender sensitivity; social inclusion; climate change; and disaster risk reduction.