UNDRR ROAS participates in the World Urban Forum in Cairo: Addressing integrated disaster risk reduction and climate resilience
The city of Cairo recently hosted the World Urban Forum (WUF), a global platform where urban development experts and policymakers gathered to tackle pressing issues. The Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum WUF12, convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), returned to the African continent more than 20 years after its inception in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002.
Among the contributors was the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States, which played a key role in shaping discussions through its co-organization of two pivotal sessions. These sessions shed light on vital strategies for disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, health, and migration, emphasizing the need for coordinated action and innovative solutions.
UNDRR ROAS Chief Nora Achkar further reinforced this contribution by participating in a pivotal session titled “Pathways to Urban Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience-building in the Arab Region.” This session expanded on the broader themes of disaster risk reduction and resilience by delving into the unique challenges faced by urban areas in the region, including protracted conflict, economic crises, and climate impacts. It emphasized the importance of locally-led recovery efforts, effective governance, and community participation, aligning with the integrated approaches discussed in other sessions. The discussions provided valuable insights into fostering sustainable urban recovery and resilience amid complex, interconnected risks.
Exploring integrated disaster risk reduction and climate resilience for cities
The first session, titled Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience for Cities, brought together a diverse group of leaders and practitioners from Central and West Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Co-organized by the UNDRR, Asian Development Bank, and United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section, the session explored the pivotal role that cities play in facing climate impacts and building resilience.
Speakers highlighted challenges that have persisted despite significant progress, such as the limited integration of DRR with climate adaptation efforts. This gap has left many vulnerable communities, especially those in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), struggling with inadequate resources to implement comprehensive resilience strategies. The session underscored the importance of the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) campaign, a UNDRR initiative designed to empower local communities and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships. It also highlighted how strong governance and community engagement are crucial for successful disaster management and climate adaptation. Effective urban resilience relies on collaboration between governments, local authorities, and civil society to ensure that strategies are inclusive and sustainable.
Addressing the climate-health-migration nexus
In another session, Harnessing Synergies between Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Reduction in Migrant-Inclusive Health System Responses, UNDRR joined forces with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This session zeroed in on the complex intersection of climate change, health, and migration in the MENA region, a part of the world acutely affected by climate extremes, such as severe heatwaves, water scarcity, and rising sea levels.
The discussions highlighted a significant obstacle: the fragmented data landscape. Panelists stressed that better data integration across institutions is essential for developing effective policies. This gap often hinders efforts to create cohesive, inclusive adaptation plans. Ensuring that migrant communities are considered in national and local resilience strategies was a key takeaway, as their vulnerabilities are often overlooked. The speakers also emphasized that targeted investments in preventive measures and DRR are crucial to bolstering the resilience of these populations.
The session wrapped up with a call for stronger partnerships to bridge intervention gaps and leverage shared knowledge for a comprehensive response to climate-driven challenges. Accelerating locally-led adaptation for resilience building in cities
Another session, Accelerate Locally-Led Adaptation for Resilience Building in Cities, organized by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia, brought together experts, practitioners, and locally-led adaptation implementers to discuss the opportunities and challenges related to financing and executing community-driven adaptation projects. The session explored enabling environments and accelerators that can channel funding to support community-led initiatives. UNDRR's Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative was highlighted as an essential framework for empowering local communities and fostering resilience-building, demonstrating how local leadership and evidence-based projects can be effectively supported.
UNDRR ROAS's participation in these sessions at the World Urban Forum reinforced its commitment to fostering resilience through collaboration and integrated approaches.