The Southern African Development Community (SADC) reaffirmed its commitment to regional resilience and disaster risk governance at the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), convened under the theme “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today.” The SADC region has been experiencing increasing climate extremes, transboundary risks, and fragilities. The GP2025 provided SADC with a high-level platform to align regional efforts with global frameworks including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015 - 2030), the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GP2025 took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 2 - 6 June 2025.
The platform further provided the SADC region an opportunity to reflect on and articulate its position regarding the implementation of the Sendai Framework and enabled SADC Member States to evaluate progress, identify gaps, engage in strategic dialogues, and secure financing to bolster disaster risk reduction (DRR). It also facilitated peer learning from countries across the globe with similar contexts and underscored the importance of resilient recovery and sustainable DRR financing.
Anchored by the SADC Disaster Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan (2022–2030), and the Resilience Framework, the region joined global actors in exploring sustainable financing, early warning systems, and locally-led innovation to reduce disaster risks and build resilience. The platform also enabled SADC to articulate shared priorities under the Draft Africa Common Position and engage in peer exchange on risk governance innovations relevant to African and landlocked regions.
His Excellency Mr. Ignazio Cassis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland and Member of the Swiss Federal Council, emphasised the need for a united and results-oriented approach to disaster risk management. He called for the strategic use of science, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics, blended with traditional knowledge, to inform DRR strategies. He underscored the importance of national and local ownership, advocating for the principle of subsidiarity: “Thinking globally, acting locally is not a slogan - it is a requirement.”
H.E. Cassis also highlighted the compounding challenges of climate change and armed conflicts, stressing the urgent need for decisive action grounded in the principles of the Sendai Framework.
Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, the United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General urged the international communities to strengthen global solidarity in response to increasingly interconnected and transboundary disasters. She emphasised the urgent need for robust early warning systems and enhanced climate resilience. Ms. Mohammed reaffirmed commitments made under the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underlining that progress on these agendas is lagging behind.
Citing the 2025 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, she noted that direct annual losses from disasters total approximately $202 billion, with broader ecosystem-related losses estimated at over $2.3 trillion. Furthermore, she highlighted the alarming projection by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) that temperatures are likely to exceed the 1.5°C threshold over the next five years.
Despite the challenges, she acknowledged positive strides such as the global decline in disaster mortality rates and the expansion of early warning systems with two-thirds of countries now having national DRR strategies. She called for accelerated implementation of early warning systems for all by 2027, urging collaboration across all sectors of society, including governments, youth, the private sector, and civil society.
The GP2025 featured a broad spectrum of high-level meetings, side events, thematic sessions, exhibitions, and knowledge exchanges. These engagements allowed stakeholders to share best practices, explore innovative tools, and discuss the latest trends in disaster risk reduction. The platform provided a unique space for stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment and take concrete steps toward accelerated DRR implementation.
The GP2025 is expected to deliver the following outcomes:
Consolidated stock-take on Sendai Framework implementation progress and challenges faced by Member States and stakeholders at all relevant levels, and of disaster risk-related targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
In line with an all-of-government approach, recommendations of actions for policy makers across sectors including in the areas of sustainable development, finance and economic planning, infrastructure, climate and ecosystem actions, international cooperation on disaster risk reduction, preparedness, early warning systems, and recovery. Recommendations should take into account the varying needs and specifies across regions and groups, including (but not limited to) the specific needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and African as well as Middle-Income Countries (MICs) facing specific challenges ensuring that no one and no country is left behind;
Increased awareness on good practices in implementing the Sendai Framework, including on improved disaster data availability and access, and building resilience using innovative approaches, tools, and methodologies; and
A reaffirmed political commitment to advance accelerated efforts in achieving the Sendai Framework.
The event was attended by several Heads of State, Ministers, government representatives, non-governmental organisations, development partners, private sector, academia and the civil society.
SADC's active engagement in the GP2025 underscores its growing leadership in advancing a resilient recovery agenda that is inclusive, regionally grounded, and future-focused. Guided by the SADC Disaster Risk Management Strategy, Resilience Framework, SADC's Vision 2050 and Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, the region is taking decisive steps to strengthen urban resilience, improve risk governance, and build accountable, locally-led disaster risk reduction systems.
In the face of increasing climate shocks, protracted humanitarian crises, and complex political dynamics, SADC recognises the urgency of operationalising the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Resilience cannot be achieved without bridging these sectors and embedding risk reduction across planning, investment, and policy processes.
The region stands ready to accelerate implementation of integrated early warning systems, invest in risk-informed urban planning, and empower local actors to lead resilience-building efforts. Stronger regional cooperation and sustained political commitment are essential to ensure that recovery is not only possible but transformative.
