The Africa Science and Technology Advisory Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (Af-STAG-DRR) and the African Youth Advisory Board on Disaster Risk Reduction (AYAB-DRR) showcased African-led research and innovation at the Africa Early Warnings Forum, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from the 2nd to the 4th of September 2026.
Through their booth at the Forum marketplace, Af-STAG and AYAB highlighted research and initiatives demonstrating the important role of African knowledge, research and innovation in strengthening disaster risk reduction (DRR) and early warning systems across the continent.
The APEDA booth attracted visits from several prominent leaders and stakeholders in the disaster risk reduction community, providing an opportunity to share the project’s research and engage in discussions around strengthening African capacity for disaster risk reduction and early warning. Among the distinguished visitors were Director Harsen Nyambe, African Union Commission (AUC) Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, and Dr. Fatima Zahra Jihane El Gaouzi, Head of the Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Division, AUC. The booth was also visited by Dr. Catalina Jaime, Head of Secretariat of the Risk-informed Early-Action Partnership (REAP), and Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Beyond showcasing research, the gathering and engagement with senior DRR leaders provided an important platform for building momentum around the next phase of African-led knowledge exchange and collaboration. The strong engagement at the APEDA booth and the visits by leading figures in the DRR community serve as a precursor to the second edition of the Af-STAG Symposium, scheduled to take place in November 2026. The Symposium will provide a further platform for African researchers, practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and advance locally driven solutions to disaster risk across the continent.
The participation of Af-STAG and AYAB at the Forum reinforced the importance of African research, indigenous knowledge, youth engagement and locally relevant innovation in advancing early warning and early action across the continent.For more information about the Africa Early Warnings Forum 2026, visit:
UNDRR – Africa Early Warnings Forum 2026
From left to right Lemonla Otekpo (AYAB president), Tamara Kamanga (AfSTAG member), Director Harsen Nyambe (Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, AUC) and Dr Eltson Eteckji Fonkeng (AfSTAG president) at the APEDA booth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa Early Warnings Forum.
From left to right Lemonla Otekpo (AYAB president), Dr. Fatima Zahra Jihane EL Gaouzi (Head, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Division, AUC) Tamara Kamanga (AfSTAG member), Director Harsen Nyambe (Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, AUC) and Dr. Eltson Eteckji Fonkeng (AfSTAG president) at the APEDA booth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa Early Warnings Forum.
