Investing in National and Regional Capacities to Support the Resilience of West African Urban Planning to Current and Future Climate-Related Risks: Differing Perspectives and Priorities

West Africa has recently experienced some of the most extreme weather events of anywhere in the world. These events create particular challenges within urban contexts where better access to reliable, relevant information is essential to support effective planning towards preparedness, mitigation and adaptation. It is recognised that low confidence in, and use of, weather/climate information stems from inadequate communication between information providers and users, alongside scientific, technical, governance and resource constraints. This session shares emerging learning from across a range of research initiatives to strengthen understanding and develop integrated and sustainable approaches to address climate (and weather) related risks across timescales. It seeks to promote appreciation of differing priorities and joint prioritisation of key challenges and approaches for strengthening climate-resilient urban planning across West Africa.