First G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting
The first G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency took place virtually on 5 March 2025, and was chaired by the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Dr Elias Sithole.
In his introductory remarks, the Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr. Namane Dickson Masemola, emphasised that Disaster Risk Reduction is not only an obligation but an investment in a safer, more sustainable future.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, officially opened the meetings of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction during South Africa’s Presidency; expressing a desire to see ‘Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability’ entrenched in the working group deliberations and collaborations.
The six priorities advanced by South Africa were supported by all countries, noting that they were designed in response to the findings of the Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) and intended to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework. Furthermore, it was noted that these are the same priorities agreed to during the past two Presidencies of India and Brazil.
The six priorities are:
- Addressing inequality and reducing vulnerabilities;
- Global Coverage of Early Warning Systems;
- Disaster Resilient Infrastructure;
- Financing for DRR;
- Disaster Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction; and
- Ecosystems-based approaches for DRR and Nature-based solutions.
In addition to the six priorities, South Africa has also placed enhanced global cooperation, particularly through knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and capacity building to support developing and least-developed countries, at the centre of the agenda.
Importantly, strengthening disaster resilience and response is the first of the four overall priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
The second DRR Working Group meeting will be held in person on 10 and 11 April 2025, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
