On Friday, February 28, 2025, the RECC-LUM project organized the third edition of the African Symposium on Climate Change, Land Use, and Disaster Management at the WASCAL Competence Center. Following the success of previous editions held in The Gambia, this year’s event continued its mission to address the critical challenges Africa faces in relation to climate change, sustainable land use, and disaster risk management.
Over 80 participants, both online and in person, joined experts, scientists, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to discuss the impacts of climate change and related disasters such as floods and droughts on the continent. The symposium also highlighted the need to integrate disaster risk reduction into land use planning and climate resilience efforts, providing a platform to address the interconnected challenges Africa faces due to climate variability, land use changes, and disaster risks.
The event brought distinguished guests from the RECC-LUM project, including the Germany team: Professor Walter Leal, Dr. Marina Kovaleva, Dr. Francisca, and Dr. Amanda. From the University of The Gambia, Professor Sidat Yaffa and his team, including Dr. Sawanneh, Dr. Sonko, and Dr. Gassama, contributed valuable insights. Dr. Belko Abdoul Aziz Diallo, head of the Data Management Department (DMD) at the Competence Center, represented Professor Emmanuel Ramde, the Executive Director of the WASCAL Competence Center, and Professor Kehinde OGUNJOBI, the Director, leading the opening ceremony and the event with support from Mame Diarra Diouf and Vincent Nebie.
A major highlight of the symposium was the parallel sessions, where more than thirty researchers presented their findings on innovative strategies and solutions to enhance resilience against climate-related disasters. These sessions delved into the latest research on climate change impacts while also highlighting best practices in sustainable land use, disaster preparedness, and community engagement.
As the symposium concluded, participants expressed great satisfaction with the event’s organization, emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence and local realities in shaping climate adaptation and land use policies. Initiatives like the RECC-LUM project were spotlighted as pivotal examples of Africa-focused solutions that consider the continent’s unique challenges.
This year’s symposium marks another important step in fostering collaboration between researchers, institutions, and international partners. It serves as a reminder of the urgent need to take action and implement strategies that will strengthen Africa’s resilience to climate change and enhance disaster management practices across the continent.
