LocationsHigh-level conference seeks to transform Africa's response to escalating climate and disaster risks through stronger governance, regional cooperation and strategic investment.
African Leaders Gather in Maputo to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction and Unlock Investment in Resilience
October 13, 2026
Maputo, Mozambique, 13 October 2026 – African leaders, ministers, policymakers, development partners and technical experts have gathered in Maputo for the International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa, a continental platform aimed at accelerating the shift from responding to disasters towards anticipating risks, strengthening preparedness and investing in long-term resilience.
Convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique, the conference takes place from 13 to 15 October 2026, following preparatory consultations on 12 October, under the theme “Scaling Proactive Governance and Strategic Investment for Disaster Risk Reduction and a Resilient Africa.”
The conference comes at a critical moment. According to the Fourth Africa Biennial Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, reported disasters across the continent increased from 612 in 2021–2022 to 719 in 2023–2024. During the same period, African Union Member States reported more than 65,000 disaster-related deaths and approximately US$9.8 billion in direct economic losses.
These figures underscore a growing development challenge. Recurrent cyclones, floods, droughts and other hazards are destroying infrastructure, disrupting livelihoods, undermining food and water security and diverting scarce public resources from development priorities towards repeated emergency response and recovery.
The central challenge is no longer simply how Africa responds to disasters, but how it reduces risks before disasters occur, protects development investments and mobilises the financing needed to build resilient economies and communities.
The conference seeks to strengthen the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the 2024 Windhoek Declaration, the African Union's Programme of Action and Agenda 2063.
Discussions focus on four interconnected priorities: financing disaster risk reduction and resilience; strengthening risk governance and institutional coordination; expanding early warning systems, preparedness and anticipatory action; and addressing systemic drought risks through integrated water and natural resource management.
The objective is to translate political commitments into concrete investment priorities, stronger institutional arrangements and practical measures that reduce disaster-related losses while safeguarding development gains.
Underscoring the importance of shifting from reactive disaster response towards proactive risk management, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, stressed for greater investment in prevention, preparedness and disaster risk reduction. He emphasised the need to translate continental commitments into concrete action, strengthen institutions and mobilise investments that protect African communities and economies.
“To act before disaster strikes rather than after the event. As we commemorate this year's International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, let us recommit ourselves to building a safer, more resilient Africa for present and future generations,” he said.
UNDP Africa/Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu
Mozambique's hosting of the conference reflects its leadership in advancing regional and continental disaster risk management, including through President Daniel Francisco Chapo's role as African Union Champion for Disaster Risk Management.
The country's experience with recurring cyclones, floods and droughts illustrates the need for approaches that connect disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure and sustainable economic development.
H.E. Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique and African Union Champion for Disaster Risk Management, called for the urgency of placing disaster risk reduction and resilience at the centre of Africa's development agenda. He highlighted how poverty, conflict and climate change continue to expose millions of Africans to unacceptable risks, while recurring disasters undermine development progress, destroy livelihoods and place additional pressure on already constrained public finances.
“These tragedies remind us of the vulnerabilities of poverty, conflicts and the impacts of climate change, which continue to expose millions of Africans to unacceptable risks,” President Chapo said.
UNDP Africa/Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu
He stressed that the gathering in Maputo represented an opportunity to reaffirm Africa's collective commitment to investing in prevention and resilience, strengthening the capacity to anticipate and manage risks, and creating opportunities that enable communities to live in safety and dignity. He further emphasised that the severity of recurring disasters has significantly constrained development progress across the continent, placing additional pressure on the limited financial resources available to African countries.
For President Chapo, investing in disaster risk reduction is therefore not merely a response to climate-related threats, but a strategic imperative to safeguard development gains, strengthen economic resilience and ensure that no African is forced to risk their life in search of safety, shelter or dignity.
For the United Nations, this means reinforcing nationally led efforts to strengthen preparedness, expand anticipatory action and ensure that investments in resilience reach communities most exposed to climate-related shocks.
Dr Catherine Sozi, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique, highlighted the importance of translating Africa's resilience commitments into stronger institutions, risk-informed development and sustained investment in prevention. She pointed to Mozambique's progress in strengthening early warning systems, intersectoral coordination and community preparedness as evidence that proactive disaster risk management can save lives and protect development gains.
“We must put prevention at the heart of development. Every investment must take risks into account. We cannot continue building today what tomorrow's disasters may destroy,” she stressed.
UNDP Africa/Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu
Dr Sozi further called for greater international support and equitable climate financing, emphasising that African countries require stronger access to resources for adaptation and resilience. She reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to supporting governments and communities in translating scientific knowledge, institutional capacity and collective action into lasting resilience.
A major focus of the conference is the development of coordinated regional approaches to climate and water-related risks. Southern Africa faces interconnected challenges from cyclones, floods and droughts that transcend national borders and affect shared river basins, infrastructure networks, food systems and regional economies.
A dedicated pre-conference consultation, co-led by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Water Partnership Southern Africa and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with the collaboration of the African Union Commission, examined two complementary regional investment proposals.
The SADC Cyclone Belt Resilience Investment Programme, proposed at US$3.2 billion over 12 years, seeks to strengthen the management of cyclone and flood risks through resilient water infrastructure, integrated water management, nature-based solutions and productive investments in agriculture, energy and livelihoods.
The Benguela Current Region Drought Resilience Investment Portfolio, proposed at US$3.1 billion over 10 years, focuses on addressing water scarcity through coordinated investments in water security, infrastructure, resilient landscapes and sustainable livelihoods.
Together, the two proposals represent an indicative investment ambition of US$6.3 billion, subject to technical preparation, feasibility assessments, financing arrangements and institutional endorsement. The programmes seek to demonstrate that investment in disaster risk reduction can also generate economic and social benefits through improved agricultural productivity, water and energy security, employment opportunities and stronger livelihoods.
Dr Judith Kateera, Deputy Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and coordinated investment in disaster risk reduction, warning that the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related hazards threaten not only lives and livelihoods but also the economic stability and integration of Southern Africa.
“Today, our countries stand at a critical juncture where climate change has brought about floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, wildfires, epidemics and other natural hazards,” she said, adding that these events continue to affect livelihoods, infrastructure, security, public finances and economic development.
UNDP Africa/Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu
Dr Kateera further cautioned that the consequences extend beyond national borders, threatening regional integration, one of SADC's core mandates. She emphasised the importance of safeguarding this integration through stronger regional coordination, resilient infrastructure and strategic investments that reduce shared vulnerabilities while creating opportunities for sustainable economic development.
“These threaten regional integration, a key mandate that we hold dearly in SADC, and defend this integration at all costs,” she emphasised.
UNDP's engagement reflects its commitment to supporting governments and regional institutions in integrating disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and resilience into development planning, governance and investment.
In Mozambique, this approach is aligned with UNDP's Country Programme Document for 2027–2030, which prioritises stronger institutions and inclusive governance, economic transformation, climate resilience, sustainable natural resource management and innovative partnerships and financing for development.
The new country programme promotes integrated, systems-based solutions that address interconnected development challenges, strengthen national capacities and ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind.
Within this framework, UNDP is supporting approaches that connect risk-informed planning, resilient infrastructure, institutional strengthening, regional cooperation and the mobilisation of development finance.
Edo Stork, UNDP Resident Representative in Mozambique, reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting governments and regional institutions in translating resilience priorities into sustainable development investments.
“Investing in resilience is about more than preparing for future disasters. It is about protecting the progress Mozambique has made, strengthening the economy and creating opportunities for people and communities. Through our new Country Programme, UNDP will work with Mozambique to build stronger institutions, prepare for climate risks and find new ways to finance development.”
The conference will culminate on 15 October with a high-level ministerial segment, during which participants are expected to consider recommendations emerging from technical discussions and regional consultations.
A principal anticipated outcome is a Ministerial Communiqué outlining priority actions and next steps to advance implementation of the 2024 Windhoek Declaration and contribute to an Investment and Partnership Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience.
Expected results include stronger political commitment, clearer investment priorities, enhanced cooperation among African institutions and development partners, and greater emphasis on early warning systems, anticipatory action and sustainable financing.
For the two proposed regional investment programmes, the next steps are expected to include further technical consultations, identification of priority investment areas and corridors, strengthened national ownership and progressive preparation towards feasibility assessments and potential financing.
The Maputo conference represents an opportunity to advance a shared understanding that disaster risk reduction is not only a humanitarian necessity, but a fundamental investment in Africa's economic stability, development and long-term prosperity.
About the Conference
The International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa is convened by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique, with the participation and support of regional and international partners, including SADC, UNDP, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the European Union, GIZ, the World Bank and other development partners.
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with its broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries and territories, UNDP helps nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Learn more at www.undp.org/mozambique.
For more information contact:
Manuel Mabuiangue - Head of Strategic Partnerships & Communication
Email: manuel.mabuiangue@undp.org
