Ethiopia has finalized all necessary preparations to host the 16th African Risk Capacity (ARC) Continental Summit, scheduled for this coming Wednesday and Thursday. This was announced by the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, Ambassador Shiferaw Teklemariam (PhD).

The Commissioner described the summit as a vital platform for showcasing African partnership, unity, and continental sovereignty. During the event, Ethiopia will share its experiences in ensuring food and humanitarian aid sovereignty, building a climate-resilient green economy, and the successes of the Green Legacy Initiative. Ambassador Shiferaw further explained that the summit aims to strengthen the capacity of African nations to prevent disasters using their own resources and to bolster sustainable financial capabilities.

In a press briefing held today, Kofi Konin, Head of Government Services for East and Southern Africa at ARC, noted that the institution is a specialized agency of the African Union. Its mission is to support member states in their response to disasters affecting the continent. Highlighting that the impact of disasters is increasing daily, he emphasized the importance of strengthening the agency's capacity to help African nations remain financially self-sufficient.

The continental forum will see the participation of 39 African Union member states. Beyond the high-level discussions, the program will include site visits to Ethiopia’s recent development milestones, including the urban corridor and riverside development projects.