Mbabane – Cape Town will next week host a G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial Outreach focusing on climate resilience and coastal protection, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has announced.
The event, scheduled for 22 September, will be led by Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa under the theme Coastal Protection and Eco-Based Disaster Risk Reduction. It comes as rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion continue to endanger cities across the globe.
CoGTA said Cape Town’s own experiences with frequent storms and erosion along the Green Point coastline make it a suitable location for the outreach. The Green Point Urban Park will serve as a case study for sustainable urban resilience, showcasing how engineered coastal defences can be combined with ecosystem-based solutions.
The outreach is expected to advance discussions on climate adaptation, infrastructure investment, risk-informed urban planning and nature-based approaches. Outcomes from the meeting will help shape the G20 DRR Ministerial Declaration while also promoting stronger international cooperation through joint research and financing models.
Local exhibitions will feature community-driven disaster risk reduction projects, volunteer initiatives and resilience strategies. Organisations expected to participate include the City of Cape Town Disaster Management Volunteer Corps, the National Sea Rescue Institute, the South African Weather Service, the Langa Advice Forum, non-governmental organisations, and private sector partners.
South Africa, which currently chairs the G20 Presidency, intends to use the platform to position itself as a leader in promoting practical responses to climate challenges while strengthening global partnerships.
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