Urban Water Resilience in Africa

In the closing keynote Dr. Aklilu Fikresilassie will present a forward-looking vision for resilient cities in rapidly urbanizing African regions, going beyond water resilience to address broader urban challenges. Drawing on his extensive expertise in urban development, Fikresilassie will talk about WRI’s  Urban Water Resilience Initiative which  aims at supporting six African cities (in three countries) to prioritize actions through the application of data-driven strategic approaches to help the cities achieve  water resilience. He will emphasize the importance of going beyond administrative boundaries in urban planning to ensure urban resilience which includes equitable access to jobs, healthcare and essential services for all. Additionally, he will outline strategies for building climate-resilient cities and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, highlighting the role of nature-based solutions for water and flood resilience in shaping the future of Africa’s urban systems.