Highlights and images for 13 October 2018

The Africa-Arab Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) concluded on Saturday, 13 October in Tunis, Tunisia, with the adoption of two declarations: the Tunis Declaration on DDR by the Fourth Arab Conference on DDR; and the Tunis Declaration on Accelerating the Implementation of the Sendai Framework and the African Regional Strategy for DDR by the Sixth High-level Meeting.The Africa-Arab Platform celebrated the International Day for Disaster Reduction with an inaugural media award in recognition of reporting on the continent, and the role of the media in raising awareness around disasters, and forming a stronger network for resilience.During the closing session, Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, UNISDR, noted that the meeting had shone a light on some of the greatest challenges facing DRR and the need to focus on "building back better" and catalyzing action for gender parity. She emphasized that disaster risk management (DRM) would never reach its full potential without adopting a people-centered approach. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, expressed: gratitude to the Ministers for charting a vision; intention to work with AU partners to implement the Tunis Declaration; and the need for effective partnership and collaboration.Abdellatif Abid, Assistant Secretary General of League of Arab States, highlighted ties between Arab states and the African Union, noting that the Platform has provided governments and stakeholders an opportunity to take stock of progress towards implementation of the Sendai Framework. Riad Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia, closed the meeting at 5:56 pm, expressing hope that all stakeholders would do their part to support implementation of the Sendai Framework.

IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily coverage and a summary report from the Africa-Arab Platform on DRR. In addition, IISD Reporting Services will publish a summary report of the meeting on Tuesday, 16 October 2018.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz

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Africa Ministerial Plenary

Ben Moussa Habib, Scientific Advisor of the Ministry of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia

Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), UNISDR

Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture

Nazir Soobratty, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mauritius

Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia

Maimuna Tarishi, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, Tanzania

Special Session: Towards Resilient Infrastructure in the Arab Region

L-R: Ragy Saro, UNISDR; Ahmed Majid Bahri Al-Zerkan, Ministry of Environment, Iraq; Slah Zouri, Bridges and Road Equipment Ministry, Tunisia; Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR; Jalal Al Dabbeek, DRR Center at An Najah National University, Palestine; and Nuha Eltinay, Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI)

Nuha Eltinay, AUDI

Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR

Jalal Al Dabbeek, DRR Center at An Najah National University, Palestine

Slah Zouari, Bridges and Road Equipment Ministry, Tunisia

Ahmed Majid Bahri Al-Zerkan, Ministry of Environment, Iraq

Mark Harvey, Resurgence 

Sujit Mohanty, UNISDR and Nuha Eltinay, AUDI, share a light moment

Arab Ministerial Plenary

L-R: Abdellatif Obaid, Vice Secretary General, League of Arab States, Chokri Ben Hassen, Secretary of State for Legal Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), UNISDR

Sghaier Ben Jeddou, Agence de Protection et D'amenagement du Littoral, Tunisia, presents the draft Tunis Decleration on DRR

Abel Badir el Riyahi, Ministry of Environment, Iraq, makes a comment

International Day for Disaster Reduction and Media Award

David Owino, Disaster Risk Reduction Network of Africa Journalists (DIRAJ)

L-R: Hosam El-Sokkari, Media and Communications Consultant; David Owino, DIRAJ, and Mami Mizutori, UNISDR, pose with the winners of the DRR Media Award

Closing Ceremony

L-R: Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia; Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; Mami Mizutori, UNISDR; and Abdellatif Obaid, Vice Secretary General, League of Arab States

Abdellatif Abid, Assistant Secretary General, League of Arab States

Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia and Mami Mizutori, UNISDR

Participants and panelists pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the event

Around the Venue