The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) called for stronger action on job creation, skills development, and local capacity building as essential strategies for strengthening resilience in Africa. Their appeal was made during a high-level side event at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) on 21 August 2025. The event, titled “Jobs and livelihoods, enhancing resilience: A means to address root causes of protracted crises,” brought together governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, UN agencies, academia, and civil society to discuss how work-based solutions can reduce vulnerabilities, prevent crises, and accelerate recovery in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Speakers highlighted Japan’s long experience with natural disasters, emphasizing how infrastructure investment, maintenance, and preparedness foster knowledge and expertise that can be applied to disaster recovery. Employers and workers underscored the importance of business continuity planning, innovation, and social dialogue to safeguard employees and vulnerable populations. The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) stressed the value of tripartite cooperation in protecting lives and livelihoods while building resilient societies.
Fanfan Rwanyindo, ILO Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the transformative potential of employment-intensive approaches, noting that such initiatives equip people with new skills and create sustainable pathways to future employment or entrepreneurship. The event showcased successful projects across Africa, including local road-building programs, climate-resilient agriculture, and skills training for marginalized groups. Participants emphasized that scaling up these initiatives is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, advancing the Sendai Framework, and ensuring that resilience, decent work, and social justice remain central to Africa’s development agenda.
TICAD, led by the Government of Japan since 1993, serves as a global platform for promoting African ownership and international partnership for sustainable development. TICAD9 in Yokohama brought together heads of state, ministers, international organizations, and social partners, with the ILO–UNDRR side event highlighting the pivotal role of decent work and livelihood development in advancing Africa’s resilience and sustainable development.
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