INTRODUCTION
The theme of South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency is Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. This will guide its Presidency of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRR WG) as interconnected and essential elements to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (Sendai Framework).
At the heart of South Africa’s Presidency will be the goal of moving from dialogue to concrete solutions. This includes advancing innovative financing mechanisms for DRR, promoting technology transfer, and encouraging capacity-building initiatives that empower countries to effectively manage risks. South Africa seeks to position the G20 as a platform for tangible progress, where commitments to equitable and sustainable development translate into real-world outcomes that build resilience across all levels of society.
South Africa faces significant disaster risk challenges, influenced by a combination of natural hazards and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The country is highly susceptible to climate-induced disasters, including droughts, floods, and wildfires, which have intensified with climate change, impacting communities, agriculture, and water resources. For instance, the 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal affected over 40 000 people, highlighting the growing severity of such events. This frequency poses a serious threat to development, disrupting livelihoods and undermining economic growth, especially in rural and underserved regions.
One primary challenge in South Africa’s disaster risk management is the uneven capacity across provinces and municipalities. Urban centres may have the resources and infrastructure for disaster preparedness, but rural areas are more exposed, with limited funding and technical expertise to implement comprehensive strategies. Rapid urbanisation has also led to informal settlements, which are highly vulnerable to floods and fires, underscoring the need for better integration of DRR into urban planning. However, South Africa has made significant achievements, such as establishing the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), which coordinated response efforts and facilitated structured relief operations during the 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods. Additionally, early warning systems (EWS), including the Flash Flood Guidance System, have reduced casualties by enabling timely evacuations.
Further progress includes integrating DRR into school curricula, raising public awareness about preparedness, and partnering with national and international organisations to enhance technical capabilities. In agriculture, the country has introduced climate-smart practices, such as drought-resistant crops and efficient irrigation, which have been effective in stabilising food production in drought-prone areas. These achievements highlight South Africa’s commitment to building resilience, though continued efforts are essential to ensure equitable support across all communities.
PRIORITIES
The priorities of the G20 DRR WG were designed in response to the findings of the Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework and intended to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework. The South African Presidency acknowledges the work done by India and Brazil’s presidencies in strengthening the work of the DRR WG and would like to retain all six priorities agreed upon under those presidencies. The deliverables will build upon the Ministerial Declaration of the WG under the Brazilian Presidency. In addition, during its presidency, South Africa would like to guide all six priorities through the overarching theme of Solidarity and Global Cooperation.
OVERARCHING FOCUS: SOLIDARITY AND GLOBAL COOPERATION
PRIORITY 1: ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES AND REDUCING VULNERABILITIES
PROPOSED DELIVERABLE(S)
Compendium of risk transfer solutions that can support vulnerable communities to access much-needed cash liquidity quickly in both pre- and post-disaster scenarios. (United Nations Capital Development Fund [UNCDF] in partnership with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [UNDRR], the UN University, Assessment of Results and Competencies [ARC], International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation [ICMIF], Insurance Institute of South Africa, Ministry of Finance of South Africa)
PRIORITY 2: GLOBAL COVERAGE OF EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
PROPOSED DELIVEABLE(S)
Develop an input paper on the progress, barriers, and enabling mechanisms to deliver cellular broadcasting as a scalable solution for last mile delivery of EW. (The International Telecommunication Union [ITU], UNDRR, Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies of South Africa, South African Weather Service [SAWS])
PRIORITY 3: DISASTER RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
PROPOSED DELIVERABLE(S)
Compendium of case studies highlighting flood-resistant housing and cyclone-proof facilities that incorporate climate-resilient design principles. (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure [CDRI], UN Habitat, National Department of Human Settlement of South Africa, and the Housing Development Agency of South Africa).
Compendium of case studies showcasing traditional housing designs, which incorporate natural cooling techniques suited to local climates. (SEEDs, Periperi U, National Department of Human Settlement of South Africa, and Housing Development Agency of South Africa)
PRIORITY 4: FINANCING FOR DRR
PROPOSED DELIVEABLE(S)
Consulted draft high-level principles for financing in DRR for consideration by the DRR WG. (UNDRR with the engagement of the World Bank [WB], Centre for Disaster Philanthropy [CDP], the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean [CAF], African Development Bank [AfDB], Asian Development Bank [ADB], Inter-American Development Bank [IDB], United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [UNDESA], G20 Sustainable Finance WG, Investors Advisory Board, South African Reserve Bank, and Ministry of Finance of South Africa).
PRIORITY 5: DISASTER RECOVERY, REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION
PROPOSED DELIVEABLE(S)
Consulted and piloted Recovery Readiness Assessment Framework for consideration by the WG. (International Recovery Platform with partners such as UN Development Programme [UNDP], UN Environment Programme [UNEP], UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO], WB, UN Office for Project Services [UNOPS], World Health Organisation [WHO], World Food Programme [WFP], Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO], Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre [ADPC], Centre for Urban Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience [CUDRR], and NDMC of South Africa).
PRIORITY 6: ECOSYSTEMS-BASED APPROACHES FOR DRR/NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
PROPOSED DELIVEABLE(S)
Compendium of case studies and analysis of policies that incentivise investment in NBS, such as subsidies, tax benefits, and climate finance integration, which encourage both public and private sector engagement. (UNESCO with the engagement of UNDRR, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure [CDRI], AfDB, WB, UNEP, and the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment of South Africa)
