The African Union Commission at the 2^nd PrepCom for the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

GENEVA, Switzerland, 14 November 2014 -As part of preparation for the 2^nd Session of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 3^rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, scheduled for 17-18 November 2014, the AU Delegation briefed the African Permanent Missions based in Geneva on Africa’s preparation for the 3^rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on 14^th November 2014 at Palais des Nations.

The purpose of the briefing session was twofold: Firstly, to update the African Permanent Missions on the status and progress of the process leading up to the development and adoption of a Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Secondly, and more importantly, to discuss further needed actions to ensure broader and active participation of Africa in the 2^nd PrepCom as well as 3^rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in Sendai, Japan from 14-18 March 2015.

Ms Olushola Olyede, Senior Policy Officer at DREA, AUC, made a brief presentation during the session to facilitate the briefing. The African Group applauded the Commission for the leading role it has played so far and called for its continued engagement and leadership in the process leading up to the development and integration of Africa’s Contribution into the forth coming Global Post-2015 Framework for

   The AUC Delegation during the Briefing

Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Delegation also seized the opportunity to call on the African Permanent Missions to actively engage in the negotiation on the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction scheduled to take place during the 2^nd PrepCom and hence do its part to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard and fully reflected in the global framework.  

On 17^th November, H.E. Ambassador Jean Marie Ehouzou, the Permanent Representative of the AUC in Geneva delivered AUC’s Statement on behalf of H.E. Mrs. Rhoda Peace TUMUSIIME, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the plenary of the 2^nd Session of the PrepCom. The 2nd PrepCom concluded on 18^th November 2014 by passing a Decision to proceed with the open-

ended informal intergovernmental negotiations on the 1^st draft of the post 2015 framework for disaster risk reduction in December 2014 and January 2015 with the view to producing the 2^nd draft post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction to be considered at the 3^rd Session of the PrepCom scheduled for 13^th March 2015 in Sendai, Japan, preceding the 3^rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held from 14-18 March 2015 at the same venue where the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is expected to be adopted.