Reducing disaster risks, a shared responsibility

Reducing disaster risks, a shared responsibility

On the occasion of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction organized by UNISDR from 13 to 17 May 2019 in Geneva, UCLG in partnership with the City of Geneva, UN Habitat and UNISDR, will organize a day of consultation meeting and exchanges between elected representatives and risk reduction professionals. 

In 2015 the international community adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. UCLG had played an important role in taking into account the action of Local and Regional Governments in reducing the impact of disasters, which is clearly mentioned in the final document of the Sendai Framework. In 2020, a first step in the assessment of commitments will be made to find out whether local and national disaster risk reduction strategies are in place and evaluate the progress of the other objectives.

The consultation meeting will be held on May 14 and hosted by the City of Geneva, which chairs the UCLG Working Group on territorial prevention and management of crisis. The meeting aims at informing on the progress made on the implementation of Objective E of the Framework, which refers directly to the local level and coordination mechanisms, and explore the challenges that local and regional governments face in dealing with risks management. It will further develop local expertise and promote exchange of experiences between local and regional governments and their partners.

Furthermore, UCLG and its Working Group will organize a side event part of the official Global Platform Meeting on the 15 May from 12h30 to 14h00. The UCLG Working Group provides a platform for local governments, to exchange knowledge and expertise on disaster management. The Working Group works on improving and increasing the availability of local governments expertise to disaster-affected municipalities and it will highlight and develop the role of local governments on the international disaster management, resilience and response.

To participate in the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, you can register on the UNISDR website.