Advancing Urban Resilience Through Partnerships, Knowledge, and Action

At the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), held in Addis Ababa from 8–10 September 2025, GIZ’s Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA) placed urban resilience at the heart of Africa’s climate agenda. Together with the African Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Slum Dwellers International (SDI), the City Climate Finance Gap Fund, and the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), RIA contributed to high-level sessions that showcased practical pathways to risk-informed urban development

RIA co-hosted the session “Accelerating Climate Resilience for Urban Development: Key Reflections from the AU Urban Resilience Knowledge Series Report.” The event marked the launch of the Urban Resilience Knowledge Series Report, which takes stock of progress across African cities while charting next steps.

With rapid urbanisation and intensifying climate risks, the discussion emphasised the urgency of integrating climate risk into urban policy and planning, strengthening governance, and mobilising finance for resilient growth.

As Philipp Knill, Deputy Director General Africa at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, remarked:

“Resilience in African cities is central for securing climate-smart development.”

This call to action highlighted the shared responsibility of governments, development partners, and communities in ensuring that Africa’s cities can withstand the shocks of tomorrow.

Powering Urban Resilience: Data, Finance and Nature-Based Solutions in Action

RIA co-organised a high-level side event with UNDRR, SDI, and the City Climate Finance Gap Fund: “Powering Urban Resilience: Data, Finance & Nature-Based Solutions in Action.”

The session underscored the importance of integrated frameworks that link Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) with Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). Key themes included:

• Participatory governance – empowering local governments and communities to co-create context-specific action plans.
• Risk data as a backbone – transforming uncertainty into actionable knowledge, particularly for informal settlements.
• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – proven approaches to mitigating floods, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing urban livability.

As Ria Hidajat, head of RIA project in GIZ emphasized:

“Partnerships unlock the solutions that cities need to face climate risks.”

Her words captured the spirit of collaboration that defined ACS2, underscoring the need to connect knowledge, finance, and innovation.

Driving Forward Africa’s Urban Resilience Agenda

RIA’s active role at ACS2 demonstrated its commitment to building strong partnerships and delivering people-centered solutions. The events reaffirmed that resilience is not only about reducing risks, it is about creating cities that are inclusive, sustainable, and prepared for future challenges.

Looking ahead, RIA will continue to advance Africa’s resilience agenda through the Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP) and related initiatives; supporting local leadership, fostering innovation, and promoting integrated approaches to climate action. As the continent scales up its response, one message from ACS2 was clear: “Urban resilience is the foundation of a climate-resilient