High-level Roundtable Ministerial Forum for the Implementation of the Early Warnings for All in Africa Action Plan
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The implementation of EW4All in Africa Action Plan brings a wide range of benefits that can significantly contribute to reducing risks and enhancing resilience in the face of disasters. EW4All equips individuals, communities, and institutions with timely and accurate information about potential hazards. Loss and damage have been a critical issue in the continent and the implementation of EW4All can lead to significant economic benefits by reducing disaster-related losses.
Additionally, when investments are made in early warning systems, the overall cost of future disaster response and recovery can be reduced, thus saving resources and enabling more efficient allocation of funds towards development initiatives. African communities are very vulnerable and EW4All would play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices at policy level, countries can learn from one another and strengthen their collective response to regional hazards.
However, a successful implementation of the EW4All Action Plan requires financial contributions in critical parts of the value chain of the early warning systems. Therefore, financial instruments such as the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative as well as the African Development Bank, the European Union's development financing, including scaling up and alignment of funds related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement such as the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility or private sector investments across climate services value chain would be required.
It is in recognition of these that the African Union Commission (AUC), the EW4ALL Pillar leads (UNDRR, WMO, ITU and IFRC) from Regional Offices in Africa bring together the WMO Champion of EW4All, Ministers attending COP 28 including those from the initial 13 EW4ALL beneficiary countries. The drive is geared to address the pressing need for comprehensive and inclusive early warning services on the African continent that aims to enhance climate resilience, reduce vulnerability, and improve early warning capabilities across Africa.
The overall objective of the high-level dialogue is to kick-start the comprehensive implementation of the EW4All Action Plan in Africa to strengthen early warning systems, ensuring that timely and accurate information about natural hazards and impending disasters reach all segments of society, particularly the most vulnerable population.
Participating Ministers
Dr. Mateus Magala, Minister of Transport and Communication, Mozambique
Mr Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Ministro das Telecomunicações, Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação Social, Angola
H. E. Valery Manambahoaka Ramonjavelo, Minister of Transport and Meteorology), Madagascar
Hon. Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Eswatini
H.E. M. Prosper Dodiko, Ministre de l'Environnement, de l'Agriculture et de l'Élevage, Burundi
Hon Dr. Selemani Jafo, Minister of State, Union Matters and Environment in the VP Office, Tanzania
Dr Michael Usi, Minister of Natural Resource and Climate Change, Malawi
Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekufu, Minister for Communications and Digitalization for the Republic of Ghana and a three-terms Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma West constituency, Ghana
Mr. Mohamed Aly Ould Sidi Mohamed, Ministre de l Equipement et des Transports, Mauritania
H.E. M. Roger Bibaye Itandas, Ministre des Transports et du Tourisme Ministère des Transports et du Tourisme, Gabon
H.E. M. Félix Lamah, Guinea
Mr Houmedi Msaidié, Ministre de l'Agriculture, de 'Environnement, de la Pêche, du Tourisme et de l'Artisanat, Comoros
Hon. Robina Nabanja, Hon. Prime Minister of Uganda
Other Ministers: · Hon. Sam Cheptoris (Minister of Water and Environment) · Hon. Aisha Sekindi (Minister of State for Water) · Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar (Minister of State for Environment)
H.E. Mr Hissein Tahir Souguimi, Ministre de aviation civile et de la Météorologie Nationale, Chad
H.E. Mr Barrister Festus Keyamo San, Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Nigeria
H.E. Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa, Minister for Ministry of water and Energy, Ethiopia
Hon. Philda Nani Kereng, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Botswana
H.E. Samuel A. Wlue, Minister of Transport, Liberia
Honourable Kavydass Ramano, Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mauritius
Hon . Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
Hon. Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia
Hon. Iipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Namibia
Mr. Obed Kandjoze, Director General of the National Planning Commission and Minister of Economic Planning, Namibia
Hon. Minister Khadiija AlMakhzoumi, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Somalia
H.E. Mr. Madut Biar Yel, Minister for Ministry of Transport Ministries complex, Juba, South Sudan
H. E. Roselinda Soipan Tuya, CS/ Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Kenya
Hon. Colins Nzovu, Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia