By prioritising investment in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the world not only safeguards vulnerable communities but also strengthens global infrastructure and economies – proving that every cent spent on prevention helps protect lives and livelihoods.
This is according to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, who delivered the opening remarks at the Group of 20 (G20) Ministerial side event on scaling up investment in DRR, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton on Friday.
Delegates meeting this morning ahead of tomorrow’s G20 Leaders’ Summit are gathering at a time when the world faces increasingly complex and interconnected risks.
“Climate change, rapid urbanisation, ecosystem degradation, and widening inequality continue to expose millions to disasters that are predictable, preventable, yet devastating,” said the Minister.
Hlabisa cited the 2025 Global Assessment Report, which has warned of a stark mismatch between rising global risk and current investment in resilience.
In South Africa, these realities are not theoretical with the KwaZulu-Natal floods of 2022, recurrent droughts, and mounting pressures on municipalities underscoring an urgent truth – the cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of preparedness.
“Every rand invested in disaster risk reduction saves lives and protects development gains.”
He informed delegates that government is committed to shifting from a reactive response to proactive, risk-informed planning.
South Africa recently launched the Early Warning for All Road Map, endorsed during the DRR Working Group meetings in Cape Town, and is currently reviewing its Disaster Management System to better embed resilience in planning, budgeting, and infrastructure investment.
READ | SA launches early warning roadmap
“But government cannot do this alone. Scaling up investment demands bold partnerships between public institutions, the private sector, development finance institutions, researchers, and communities. It requires innovative financing mechanisms, resilient infrastructure, and a shared commitment to protect the most vulnerable.”
Friday’s side event is the flagship initiative of the Presidency, co-organised with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
It advances the G20 High-Level Voluntary Principles for Investing in DRR, which provide practical guidance for moving from risk identification to funding solutions.
“Colleagues, resilience is not merely an abstract concept; it embodies the tangible ability of communities to endure and recover from shocks and adversities without losing hope, dignity, or their livelihoods.”
Hlabisa believes that the true strength of our institutions lies in their proactive capacity to anticipate potential risks and mitigate them effectively before disasters unfold.
“It is the unwavering resolve of leaders, like those assembled in this room, that drives the imperative investment in resilience today. By doing so, we ensure that future generations inherit a safer, more robust world capable of withstanding unforeseen challenges.”
The Minister urged all those who were in the room to seize the opportunity to cultivate strategic partnerships, mobilise the necessary financing, and turn innovative ideas into measurable actions that propel us forward.
In addition, he stated that South Africa is fully prepared to collaborate with them to deliver tangible progress aligned with Agenda 2063, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Together, we can build a future marked by resilience and sustainability, where communities thrive even in the face of adversity.” – SAnews.gov.za