FIRST PREPARATORY COMMITTEE CONTINUES DISCUSSION ON THE POST-2015 FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
The First Preparatory Committee for the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction this afternoon continued with its discussion on the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
During the discussion, speakers stressed the importance of an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction, as well as of building on the lessons and gaps stemming from work achieved on the basis of the Hyogo Framework for Action, such as further work in relevant indicators, capacity building and technology transfers. These expectations could only be met if national stakeholders and the international community were part of the policy process. In this regard, furthermore, the post-2015 protocol should address some of the remaining imbalances arising from the limited capacity of developing countries resulting from economic and political factors.
Delegations also highlighted both national and regional measures taken on the basis of the Hyogo Framework, including efforts in areas such as capacity building, resource mobilisation, and knowledge and technology transfers. Speakers also highlighted specific challenges and vulnerability faced in local and regional contexts, such as those arising from climate change and which posed significant constraints on developing States to achieve resilience. The increasing number of catastrophes, in particular those related to climate and which negatively affected economic sectors such as agriculture and other economic activities, attested to the timeliness of this meeting. Similarly, it was noted that people around the world expected Governments to strengthen their responses to a growing range of risks and their physical, social and financial consequences.
At the end the meeting, the Committee resumed consideration of its agenda item 5 on organization of the World Conference and decided to propose for adoption the draft rules of procedure (A/CONF.224/PC(I)/L.3) and the draft provisional agenda for the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which will be held in Sendai, Japan, from 14 to 18 March 2015.
Speaking in the discussion were Côte d’Ivoire, Austria, Egypt, and Nigeria. Economic Community of West African States, Economic Community of Central African States, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Arab League, and the World Health Organization on behalf of the United Nations system also took the floor, as did Centre for Natural Disaster Prevention in Central America, Indian Ocean Commission, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Science and Technology Major Group.
The Preparatory Committee began its work this morning at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Summaries of the opening statements by the Committee’s Co-Chairs and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as the first part of the discussion, are available here.
The Preparatory Committee will resume its work on Tuesday, 15 July at 9 a.m. when it will continue its discussion on considerations on the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. The First Session of the Preparatory Committee will conclude its work at the end of the day on 15 July.
Considerations on the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Burkina Faso was aware that thousands of people were in situations where they could not decently survive by their own means because of disasters which happened on a daily basis. Burkina Faso’s creation of a National Platform for Disaster Prevention and Management and the adoption of the Law on Prevention and Management of Disasters had been a step forward in its policy.
Czech Republic said that since 1997 it had experienced several catastrophic floods of various natures. To be able to manage new types of risks and disasters, framework plans and procedures had been adopted, but comprehensive strategies and capacities were still missing. The Czech Republic appreciated the proposed monitoring process of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
Bangladesh believed that the Hyogo Framework for Action had had some success and it strongly supported a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction based on the Hyogo Framework. To ensure sustainable development and build resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate change had to be taken up together. For resilience, a forward-looking approach was needed.
Nepal said the integration of disaster risk reduction into the development process remained as important as ever. The post-2015 framework had to make risk governance a clear priority by making disaster risk reduction inclusive and prioritizing the response part. It was critical that it have an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
Swaziland had been affected by natural disasters such as protracted droughts and storms over the years, with an increase in their occurrence as well as their severity. Challenges highlighted by Swaziland included weak articulation of disaster risk reduction in national plans, as well as weak early warning systems and poor perception of disaster issues among the public and private institutions.
Madagascar said that due to its geographical situation, Madagascar was exposed to many natural disasters. It hoped that the Hyogo Framework for Action II would emphasize risk management governance in various sectors and at various administrative levels, including contributions for civil society and the media. Land management was a key element in reducing disaster risk.
South Africa said that like many other developing countries, it faced increasing levels of disaster risk and a wide range of hazards that could trigger widespread hardship and devastation. Disaster risk reduction and management challenges needed innovation. Timely dissemination and use of geospatial information would help to reduce the loss of life and property.
Panama considered disaster risk reduction a matter of State. It had a national comprehensive disaster risk policy and this was a framework that guided action and political decisions from a disaster risk reduction perspective. The Hyogo Framework was the most important instrument; while far from being fully implemented, it should continue to guide disaster risk reduction activities.
Barbados said that the goal of the regionally articulated 2003 Comprehensive Disaster Management strategy was to reduce losses due to natural and anthropogenic disasters. The adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action complimented what had been started in 2003. The emphasis of the post-2015 disaster risk reduction framework should be on effective and efficient implementation.
Benin had, since the adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action, been committed to ensuring the resilience of communities through the considerable reduction of losses due to natural disasters. Benin suggested that disaster risk reduction in development activities with a gender perspective be taken into account in future.
Italy said the European Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction took place last week and included competent Ministers from disaster risk reduction from the whole of the European Union. Italy had subscribed with great enthusiasm to the Hyogo Framework for Action. Close coordination among all stakeholders was essential in establishing the best possible 2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
United States said Governments must have disaster risk frameworks, policies and regulations in place and had to be prepared to adjust these and manage resources to minimize risk and devastation. It was pleased to see broad consultations take place in discussions on the post-2015 disaster risk reduction framework and welcomed a paradigm that spoke to the way in which disaster risk reduction could be viewed as part of a whole.
Côte d’Ivoire said that given its geographical location, it was a country that was vulnerable to climate change which led to the degradation of land and the loss of natural diversity. Côte d’Ivoire hoped that the post-2015 framework would allow nations, in particular the most vulnerable, to put in place the necessary platforms in order to build resilient environments and communities.
Austria stressed the importance of an integrated approach, multi-risk management and forward looking prevention, as well as the crucial role that actors at the local level played in the context of disasters. The new framework should build on experience acquired since 2005 and should concentrate on key elements, including work on the development of relevant indicators.
Egypt said that this meeting was taking place at an important time as recent years had seen an increasing number of catastrophes, in particular those related to climate; these negatively affected economic sectors such as agriculture and tourism and placed pressure on governments and stakeholders. Egypt counted with a national strategy to reduce the impact of disasters and increase capacity building.
Nigeria said it had made steady progress over the past 10 years in developing and strengthening mechanisms and a platform for disaster risk reduction and its mainstreaming into the national development agenda. The post-2015 protocol should address some of the remaining imbalances arising from the limited capacity of developing countries resulting from economic and political factors.
Economic Community of West African States indicated that since the adoption of policies regarding disaster risk reduction and humanitarian affairs by the West African heads of States and Government, a number of major efforts had been made to improve the lives of vulnerable people. The Community urged all relevant stakeholders to provide support to Africa, including in capacity building, resource mobilisation, and knowledge and technology transfers.
Economic Community of Central African States noted regional measures undertaken and some of the national measures implemented by its members, despite the tardy accession of the region to the Hyogo Framework. Central Africa States endeavoured to do better regarding the implementation of the new disaster risk reduction framework, taking into account the particular constraints and challenges they faced.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development noted that people around the world expected Governments to strengthen their responses to a growing range of risks and their physical, social and financial consequences. These expectations could only be met if national stakeholders and the international community were part of the policy process.
Arab League said that in order to address challenges arising from disasters, a common vision, institutional frameworks and national systems were needed. Drought, the worsening of the food security situation and the lack of water stemming from climate change posed the main challenges to the region. Capacity building, technical and scientific knowledge, public awareness, and limited resources had to be addressed.
World Health Organization, speaking on behalf of the United Nations system, said it was essential that the new framework was coherent with the post-2015 sustainable development goals and any future agreement on climate change action, that all types of hazards that could result in disasters be addressed, and that vulnerable and marginalised groups were engaged as partners in taking action.
Centre for Natural Disaster Prevention in Central America said that the Hyogo Framework for Action was one of the milestones of global efforts in disaster reduction and had taught that disasters had long-term effects that were very costly in terms of lost development and reconstruction. A comprehensive Central American policy for disaster reduction had been developed.
Indian Ocean Commission said that disaster risk management was an essential part of sustainable development, the ultimate goal. There was a need for a global approach to disaster risk management. The 2013 Global Assessment report had made the convincing point that small island and developing States had the world’s highest disaster risk.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said that it was encouraging to see progress being made in the development of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction and in preparation for the World Conference. For the Hyogo Framework for Action to be a truly global framework, it had to be fully integrated into development and humanitarian frameworks.
Science and Technology Major Group was delighted to hear that many had articulated trust placed in the role of science integrated disaster risk that drew on the natural engineering and health sciences as well on the socio-economic and human sciences and worked closely with affected communities. The specific vulnerabilities of migrants, the elderly, the disabled and children, among others, were included in its research.
Consideration of Agenda Item 5 on the Organization of the World Conference
The Preparatory Committee proposed for adoption the draft provisional rules of procedure of the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (A/CONF.224/PC(I)/3), and the draft provisional agenda for the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.
For use of the information media; not an official record
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