Summary report, 24–26 May 2017

The Fifth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction convened from 24-26 May 2017 in Cancún, Mexico. Under the banner “From Commitment to Action,” over 5,000 delegates from over 170 countries representing governments, stakeholder groups including people with disabilities, UN partners, the private sector, national platforms for disaster risk reduction (DRR), regional organizations and academia attended the meeting.

Meeting for the first time since the adoption of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 at the Third World Conference on DRR in March 2015, delegates participated in a Leaders Forum, Ministerial Roundtables, four plenaries, two special sessions and 15 working sessions, as well as numerous side events, special events, and field visits. They also heard presentations on DRR projects and initiatives in a centralized venue called the Ignite Stage, and engaged in informal discussions in the Market Place exhibition, which was set up to foster new partnerships.

A key outcome of the meeting was the release of the Cancún High-Level Communiqué, the result of a closed-door Leaders Forum on Wednesday afternoon. Under the theme “Ensuring the resilience of infrastructure and housing,” the Communiqué commits to, inter alia, implement the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 in coherence with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the New Urban Agenda; and promote people-centered, gender-sensitive, accessible and resilient urban development that supports all of society, including the vulnerable, poor and marginalized.

Another outcome of the 2017 Global Platform was the Chairs Summary, which addressed the priority action areas that emerged from the meeting, and will be forwarded to the High Level Political Forum of the UN Economic and Social Council, set to meet in New York, US, in July 2017.

Delegates left Cancún with high expectations for continued constructive engagement at the local, national and regional levels on further integrating inclusive, participatory DRR and disaster management strategies in development planning, and in addressing climate change.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Natural hazards, such as floods, droughts, earthquakes and tsunamis, are becoming more regular and intense, increasing the impact on people and communities. Compounding the situation, poor planning, poverty and a range of other underlying factors create conditions of vulnerability that result in insufficient capacity to cope with natural hazards and disasters. Action to reduce risk has grown in importance on the international agenda and is seen by many as essential to safeguard sustainable development efforts and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

DRR includes all the policies, strategies and measures that can make people, cities and countries more resilient to hazards, and reduce risk and vulnerability to disasters. Recognizing that natural hazards can threaten anyone unexpectedly, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) system builds on partnerships and takes a global approach to disaster reduction, seeking to involve every individual and community in moving toward the goals of reducing the loss of lives, socio-economic setbacks and the environmental damages caused by natural hazards. The following highlights the development of the international DRR agenda.

FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE ON DISASTER REDUCTION: The first World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR) convened in Yokohama, Japan in 1994 and saw the adoption of the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World and its Plan of Action. The Yokohama Strategy set guidelines for action on prevention, preparedness and mitigation of disaster risk. These guidelines were based on principles of risk assessment, disaster prevention and preparedness, the capacity to prevent, reduce and mitigate disasters, and early warning. The strategy also stated that the international community should share technology to prevent, reduce and mitigate disasters, while demonstrating strong political determination in the field of disaster reduction.

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION: At its 54th session in 1999, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) agreed to establish the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), and an Inter-Agency Secretariat and an Inter-Agency Task Force for Disaster Reduction (IATF/DR) for the implementation of the ISDR (Resolutions 54/219 and 56/195, respectively). Among its mandated tasks, the IATF/DR was to convene ad hoc expert meetings on issues related to disaster reduction.

SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE ON DISASTER REDUCTION: The Second WCDR convened from 18-22 January 2005 in Kobe, Japan. The 168 states attending the conference adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (HFA) and the Hyogo Declaration. UNGA Resolution 60/195 endorsed the HFA and committed governments to five priorities for action to: ensure that DRR is a national and local priority, with a strong institutional basis for implementation; identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning; use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels; reduce the underlying risk factors; and strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.

GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR DRR: In 2006, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs launched a consultative process to consider practical ways of strengthening the ISDR system to support governments in meeting their commitments to implement the HFA. It aimed to extend participation of governments and organizations, raise the profile of disaster reduction, and construct a more coherent international effort to support national disaster reduction activities. The Global Platform for DRR was formed as an expanded and reformed successor to the IATF/DR, envisaged to serve as the primary multi-stakeholder forum for all parties involved in DRR to raise awareness on DRR, share experience and guide the ISDR system.

The First Session of the Global Platform was held from 5-7 June 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland, and included a high-level dialogue on DRR challenges and opportunities, a series of workshops on DRR as a national priority and integrating DRR into sector agendas, and sessions on assessing and implementing the HFA. At the Second Session of the Global Platform held from 16-19 June 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland, participants focused on increasing investment in DRR, reducing disaster risk in a changing climate and enabling community resilience through preventive action.

The Third Session of the Global Platform was held from 8-13 May 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, and discussions focused mainly on reconstruction and recovery, the economics of DRR, and synergies with the international climate change and development agenda. The Fourth Session of the Global Platform convened from 19-23 May 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland, and provided an opportunity to review the status of the HFA and encourage information sharing among decision makers, development partners, experts and practitioners.

MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE HFA 2005-2015: The Mid-term Review, released in March 2011, concluded that progress in DRR is occurring, especially institutionally through the passing of national legislation, establishment of early warning systems and strengthening of disaster preparedness and response. It raised concerns about: the lack of systematic multi-hazard risk assessments and early warning systems, factoring in social and economic vulnerabilities; the poor integration of DRR into sustainable development policies and planning at national and international levels; and the insufficient level of implementation of the HFA at the local level.

THIRD UN WORLD CONFERENCE ON DRR: This meeting convened from 14-18 March 2015, in Sendai, Japan, and adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The Sendai Framework aims to achieve the following outcome over the next 15 years: substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. This is intended to be done through four priorities of action (understanding disaster risk; strengthening disaster risk governance; investing in DRR; and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction), to achieve a set of seven global targets.

REGIONAL PLATFORMS: Regional inter-governmental organizations have increasingly taken responsibility to follow up on risk reduction activities, organizing a series of regional multi-stakeholder platforms for DRR. Most recently, regional meetings took place in Canada, India, Finland, Mauritius, Mexico and Turkey.

The sixth Session of the Africa Regional Platform and the fifth High-Level Meeting on DRR took place in Balaclava, Mauritius, from 22-25 November 2016. From 22-24 November, the Africa Regional Platform convened and focused on enhancing understanding of disaster risk, improving disaster risk governance, increasing national and regional resilience, enhancing disaster preparedness and linking the Sendai Framework on DRR to Africa, through an African programme of work. The 5th High-Level Meeting on DRR convened on 25 November adopting the outcomes of the Platform. Ministers and high-level representatives considered and agreed to the Programme of Action for Implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 in Africa, and the Mauritius Declaration on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework in Africa.

REPORT OF THE MEETING

WELCOME PLENARY

Moderating this Wednesday morning session, Robert Glasser, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Head of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), encouraged the finalization of national DRR strategies integrating climate and poverty reduction measures by 2020. Remberto Estrada Barba, Mayor, Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo, Mexico, highlighted the role of local governments in implementing DRR measures. Luis Felipe Puente Espinosa, National Coordinator for Civil Protection, Secretaría de Gobernacíon, Mexico, noted the unique opportunity presented by the Global Platform to lower disaster risk for future generations, and expressed gratitude to the DRR community for choosing Mexico to host the Global Platform, which took place outside Geneva for the first time in its history.

OPENING CEREMONY

On Wednesday afternoon, the opening ceremony commenced with a Mayan cultural performance. Opening the Fifth Global Platform for DRR, Robert Glasser, SRSG for DRR and Head of UNISDR, stressed that “we come to Cancún not to talk, but to work,” highlighting that the Sendai Framework urges better management of the risks which create disasters and integrated action on climate and disaster risks.

Carlos Joaquín González, Governor, Quintana Roo, Mexico, highlighted the country’s role in fostering civil protection nationally and internationally, and drew attention to preparedness measures implemented to overcome disasters in Quintana Roo.

Luis Videgaray Caso, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mexico, praised the Sendai Framework’s innovative and human-centered approach; stressed the need to understand that human actions influence the environment; and called for positive efforts to address anthropological climate change. He highlighted ways in which the 2017 Global Platform influences Mexico’s foreign affairs, such as encouraging the country to pay greater attention to small island developing States (SIDS), particularly those in the Caribbean, and noted that the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda need to be addressed concurrently.

Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, highlighted that the UN Secretary-General has prioritized prevention measures to address global challenges including climate change, disaster risk and poverty, noting that the best way to implement these measures is through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She urged all relevant stakeholders to enhance their efforts to reduce existing levels of vulnerability and exposure, and called for a focus on poverty, inequality, climate change, the rise of informal settlements, and environmental decline. Mohammed lauded the paradigm shift from managing disasters to managing disaster risk and welcomed discussion on the Sendai Framework Monitor Prototype.

President Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico, described the country’s exposure to a vast number of risks including earthquakes, flooding and volcanic eruptions, pointing to the practices of ancient cultures to understand and address these forces of nature. President Peña Nieto highlighted that Mexico has faced 166 disasters since 2002, underscoring the role of the Civil Protection Agency in addressing these effectively, and lamented that 90% of deaths due to disasters take place in low and lower-middle income communities. He called on the Global Platform to support countries that require additional capacity to complement their national endeavors to reduce disaster risk. He reiterated his country’s commitment to support Global Platform policies to strengthen DRR capacity at the institutional level.

PLENARY SESSIONS

Four thematic plenary sessions were held on Thursday and Friday, with priority outcomes included in a Chairs’ Summary presented on Friday afternoon.

NATIONAL AND LOCAL DRR STRATEGIES PAVE THE WAY FOR ACTION BY ALL

On Thursday morning, Session Chair Shri Kiren Rijiju, State Minister, India, informed delegates that a Chairs’ Summary of the plenary and working sessions would be forwarded to the UN Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2017.

Session Co-Chair Joaquín Roa, Minister for National Emergencies, Paraguay, shared the holistic perspective used in Paraguay to integrate the realities, commitments and capacity of all sectors, actors and institutions to reduce current risk and ensure that new risks are not created. Session Co-Chair Denisse Ugalde Alegría, Mayor of Tlalnepantla, Mexico, noted that the conference will serve as a basis to increase resilience in cities and stressed that local governments bear the responsibility of implementing actions to achieve tangible results and ensure the well-being of those they represent.

Stressing the need to consistently improve risk reduction efforts, Melchior Mataki, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Solomon Islands, suggested that the key to successful risk management is a proactive, coordinated approach that enables integrated action at all levels of government. He suggested identifying existing capacity and building upon it, explaining that long-term capacity building should not focus on engaging international experts but rather should enable local leaders to fill the gap themselves.

Christos Stylianides, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, emphasized that DRR strategies must: include a comprehensive understanding of disaster risks; define roles and responsibilities for all of society; and be an integral part of economic policies. He reiterated the value of exchanging experiences to develop a common foundation to address unprecedented natural disasters, naming private public partnerships, horizontal policy integration and education as essential tools. Kathy Oldham, Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, UK, underscored the need to include DRR throughout urban development policy, including linking it to social and economic choices.

During the discussion, delegates spoke about the need for inclusivity, particularly the role women play in DRR; insurance to address residual economic risk; and the challenges posed by considering climate change, disaster risk and development in separate silos. They called for, among other things: greater accountability and compliance with DRR strategies at all levels; people-centered and people-inclusive DRR strategies; discussions to promote international, regional and national disaster coordination centers; and greater coordination among institutions of higher learning to foster local and national leadership in DRR strategy design.

REDUCING VULNERABILITY OF COUNTRIES IN SPECIAL SITUATIONS

On Thursday afternoon, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Australia; Fathima Thasneem, Ministry of Defense and National Security, Maldives; and Fekitamoeloa Utoikamanu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked and Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), co-chaired the session. Thasneem called for greater support for financing and enhancing the governance of countries in special situations. Utoikamanu urged stakeholders to listen to those most vulnerable to disaster risk, as they suffer disproportionate losses in disasters.

Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Jamaica, drew attention to the multiple sectors affected by natural disasters in his country, including economy, agriculture, water, health service delivery and tourism. Krishna Bahadur Raut, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal, outlined Nepal’s efforts to formulate a DRR plan utilizing multi-stakeholder and multi-step approaches to specify the responsibilities of all sectors of society. He pointed out that, despite having national sustainable development, climate change and adaptation strategies, more needs to be done to protect against multi-hazard risk exposure. Yande Mwape, Office of the Vice President, Zambia, outlined steps her country is taking to enhance resilience, including enabling the movement of people, goods and services within and beyond their national borders. She outlined the ways in which disaster risk profiles for LLDCs differ, stating that disasters hamper LLDCs’ ability to focus on long-term development.

During discussions, Mongolia shared her country’s experiences in engaging and supporting local communities in DRR. The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Indonesia spoke about establishing an international integrated monitoring framework tracking multilateral agreements and their role in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda. India highlighted the need to prioritize mandatory financial commitments towards DRR for SIDS, and Austria shared his country’s experience in creating a multi-faceted warning system. Delegates also highlighted the need to increase capacity with improved data and fast-tracked financial management during a crisis, and referenced opportunities in DRR through engagement with displaced people.

Fierravanti-Wells outlined priority recommendations including: taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the mutually reinforcing 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement when implementing the Sendai Framework; promoting stronger multi-stakeholder partnerships that could increase financing, and transfer knowledge and best practices to drive risk reduction efforts; and calling for effective disaster risk governance, as well as inclusive institutions to drive implementation and promote a preventative approach to DRR.

SENDAI FRAMEWORK MONITORING

The Friday morning plenary was co-chaired by Luis Felipe Puente Espinosa, National Coordinator for Civil Protection, Secretaría de Gobernación, Mexico; Marcus Oxley, Executive Director, Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction, UK; and Robert Glasser, SRSG for DRR and Head of UNISDR. Oxley stated that monitoring can strengthen the coherence of global DRR frameworks by helping decision-makers and practitioners to break out of thematic silos, stressing the importance of localized action. Glasser called for collective action to enhance the availability, accessibility and quality of data, as they are at the heart of DRR implementation.

Rohan Richards, Economic Growth and Job Creation, Jamaica, drew attention to the gap between the availability and accessibility of quality geospatial information and decision-making, calling for increased integration among stakeholders throughout the DRR cycle, and emphasized the importance of sharing data. Paloma Merodio Gómez, National Institute for Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico, described maps produced by INEGI containing 200 layers of objective and accessible geospatial data, which are used to reduce disaster risks through the identification of hazardous areas.

Peter Felten, Federal Foreign Office, Germany, described his country’s disaster framework data collection efforts, highlighting their commitment to data availability to inform national-level disaster preparedness and response and their international cooperation and humanitarian response under the Sendai Framework. Natalia Kanem, Assistant Secretary-General, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), discussed the power of data to reveal previously invisible truths, emphasizing how data enables stakeholders to avoid disaster impacts. She called for quality, timely and accessible data to better understand and improve the safety nets requested by communities.

In the discussion, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) drew attention to the outcome of the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Conference that was held earlier in the week in Cancún, Mexico, highlighting that the WMO, the World Bank and UNISDR will continue to strengthen partnerships and consult on an early warning matrix for hydro-meteorological hazards. Delegates discussed the: need to harmonize terminologies related to measurement and monitoring; links between the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and UNISDR; the need to build capacity for people with disabilities to participate in monitoring activities; and the need to collect data on displacement at the national and international levels.

Oxley identified key issues emerging from the session, including the need for: a systems-wide multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder understanding; standardized reporting systems and common indicators; and a simplification of monitoring systems going forward. Espinosa stressed the need for: coordination and international cooperation; disaggregated data to highlight specific challenges related to women, children and people with disabilities; and integrated information, in order to strengthen disaster preparedness strategies and plans.

COHERENCE BETWEEN THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK, THE PARIS AGREEMENT AND THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Chair Willem Rampangilei, Minister, National Disaster Management Authority, Indonesia, opened the Friday afternoon plenary, highlighting the economic consequences of disasters and underscored the need for coherent and mutually reinforcing policies to address climate change, disaster risk and development.

Stressing the need for inclusive disaster risk management, Co-Chair Manuel Bessler, Head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, Switzerland, underlined that “disaster losses are development losses,” noting the importance of risk-proofing critical infrastructure to decrease losses, and drew attention to the Swiss National Platform for Natural Disasters which integrates risk maps into land-use and planning activities. Co-Chair Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit, Canada, stressed that vulnerable peoples ought to be the first priority in disaster risk management (DRM), and development plans to achieve the Sendai Framework’s objectives.

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Director, UNFCCC, underlined that the social, economic and human impacts of disasters are “too great to ignore,” and noted the need to turn the “promise of 2015” – referring to the Paris Agreement, SDGs and Sendai Framework agreed that year – into the reality of a better world. Meleti Bainimarama, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Fiji, urged delegates to “set achievable and realistic targets” and to cooperate in earnest to achieve the Sendai Framework.

Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany, echoed the need for a coherent approach to jointly address climate change, the SDGs and DRR, and thanked UNISDR for its work to harmonize monitoring the progress of both the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda. She stated that the principle of the people-centered approach embodied in all frameworks is realized at the household level.

Reiterating the goal to leave no one behind, Saber Chowdhury, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Bangladesh, underscored the urgency of acting coherently, opining that the Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda “is one framework with different elements.” He identified the challenge of harmonizing governance for all the objectives and indicators.

Robert Glasser, SRSG and Head of UNISDR, noted that there is some level of coherence among the three multilateral agreements including on issues such as resilience; underscored the importance of political will and strong leadership to ensure preparedness for multiple disasters at the national level; and drew attention to the business case for concurrently addressing with climate impacts and disaster risk.

In the discussion, delegates, inter alia: highlighted the critical need to integrate DRR and SDG reporting into one comprehensive reporting framework; considered the importance of including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the Global Compact on Refugees in discussions on system-wide coherence; emphasized the need for dedicated disaster funds at the national level; and identified the need for full, effective and meaningful participation of all stakeholders in every step of implementation.

Rampangilei highlighted key priority actions emerging from the session, including: the need for governments, the UN and other stakeholders to take action in a coherent manner; the call to build resilience amongst the most vulnerable communities in order to end poverty in all its forms; and the role of the HLPF in promoting implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework.

SPECIAL SESSIONS

On Wednesday morning, delegates convened in two back-to-back special sessions, engaging in panel discussions and a question and answer period.

AVAILABILITY OF AND ACCESS TO MULTI-HAZARD EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS AND DISASTER RISK INFORMATION 

Moderator David Edgar Tonoyan, Minister of Emergency Situations, Armenia, opened the session by highlighting three focus areas: how to make early warning systems (EWS) more effective and efficient; how to ensure EWS are available to all; and how to promote cooperation and investment in EWS. Session Co-Chair Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls, Coordinator of the femLINKPACIFIC, Fiji, emphasized that EWS should empower and support women while ensuring their safety and dignity. Session Co-Chair Gautier Mignot, Ministry of Interior, France, discussed the need for EWS to focus on end-users in the context of their communities and the need to foster synergies and coordination between various stakeholders and policies.

Panelists Petteri Talaas, Secretary-General, WMO; Tatsuo Hirano, Minister of Reconstruction, Japan; Elliot Jacks, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and Molly Nielson, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Samoa, addressed issues including: improved coordination centers that deal with various types of hazards such as floods or volcanic eruptions; integrating traditional knowledge into EWS; incorporating individual education and awareness of disaster risk into its management; ensuring EWS take local context into account; and ensuring that EWS are clear and usable to those who need it when they need it.

In the discussion, panelists considered overarching challenges for EWS, such as public-private and regional coordination efforts, conveying both forecasts and impacts to relevant stakeholders, reaching a variety of users with a variety of needs, dealing with issues of displacement, and the importance of governance leadership to ensure effectiveness.

ENHANCING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR EFFECTIVE RESPONSE AND TO “BUILD BACK BETTER” IN RECOVERY, REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION

Session Moderator Aris Papadopoulos, Titan America, opened the session. Session Co-Chair Shigeki Habuka, Vice Minister, Cabinet Office, Japan, discussed his country’s progress rebuilding communities and infrastructure after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, including strides in stakeholder participation, enhancing disaster preparedness and response policy frameworks. Session Co-Chair Lourdes Tibán, Member of Parliament, Ecuador, discussed recent disasters in the country and the need to account for the special circumstances of the most vulnerable in disaster preparedness and response strategies.

Panelists Inonge Wina, Vice President, Zambia; Khaled Abu Aisheh, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Jordan; Marcie Roth, Federal Emergency Management Agency, US; and Johannes Luchner, European Commission, addressed issues including: mainstreaming DRM into international and national development policies; creating disaster databases to facilitate knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement; enhancing public private partnerships; facilitating comprehensive risk assessments; and ensuring equal treatment of disaster preparedness and response measures.

The ensuing discussion considered disaster preparedness and response gaps such as: mobilization of resources and long-term incentives; public understanding of disaster risk; ‘building better’ before disasters through ambitious building codes; clear representations of the costs and benefits of disaster preparedness; and the need for broad regional cooperation.

WORKING SESSIONS

Fifteen working sessions convened in parallel from Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon, with delegates considering a wide range of topics with direct and indirect implications for DRR.

ENSURING RISK-RESILIENT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Wais Ahmad Barmak, Minister of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs, Afghanistan, chaired the session, which considered the importance of critical infrastructure in addressing disaster risk reduction. P.K. Mishra, Prime Minister’s Office, India, and Michele Young, Save the Children, Australia, highlighted the need to involve local communities, including in capacity building, to strengthen resilience and improve critical infrastructure. Hans Sy, President, SM Prime, emphasized the importance of incentives for the private sector and collaboration between sectors in that regard.

In the ensuing discussions, one participant underscored the benefits of improving regulations and design codes in infrastructure. In discussions, panelists agreed that maintaining existing infrastructure is a critical challenge for DRR. Other panelists shared experiences from Japan and Peru and discussed the utility of insurance in risk transference.

SENDAI FRAMEWORK MONITOR PROTOTYPE CONSULTATION

Mercedita Sombilla, National Economic and Development Authority, the Philippines, and Yannick Glemarec, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programme, UN Women, co-chaired the morning working session, which aimed to consult with stakeholders on the Sendai Framework Monitor Prototype and highlight that disaster risk is not shared equally. Marc Gordon, UNISDR, introduced the Prototype, underscoring its objective to help inform decision-making, implement the Sendai Framework as well as coordinate inputs from countries to integrate global reporting to multiple frameworks.

Panelists from Uganda, India, Lebanon, and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) shared experiences, raising opportunities to, inter alia: encourage multi-stakeholder participation; support national and regional development planning; and export data for further analysis. Ensuing discussions addressed challenges regarding sufficient capacity to use the tool, and supporting compliance to report to multiple global frameworks.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN SUPPORT OF THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTATION

David Douglas Des Van Rooyen, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South Africa, chaired the session, recognizing internal and cross-border displacement caused by disasters. Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, BMZ, Germany, highlighted the benefits of: risk transference from insurance; knowledge exchange; integration of humanitarian response with long-term aid; and the need for more financial resources for DRR.

Rolf Alter, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), outlined how countries could implement DRR, including through: coordination; experience sharing; and inclusiveness. Using an example of map making, Sandra Wu, Chairperson and CEO, Kokusai Kogyo Co. Ltd, called for international cooperation to build an enabling environment for information sharing. Other panelists highlighted the need for financial commitments from institutional partners, such as the World Bank.

Closing the session, Van Rooyen, reiterated the need for: cooperation at all levels; multi-year funding; and integration of local communities in DRR strategies.

RISK TRANSFER AND INSURANCE FOR RESILIENCE

Riikka Laatu, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland, and Simon Young, CEO, African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited, co-chaired the morning working session, introducing parametric insurance mechanisms and basis risk as innovative tools to reduce the cost of insurance and hasten payouts. Shaun Tarbuck, CEO, International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation, referred to insurance as the “ultimate community product” to build risk literacy, and Robert Muir-Wood, Risk Management Solutions, discussed risk transfer and risk insurance “as a pair of twins that work best when together.”

Phil Evans, CEO, Met Office, reflected on the human and social scale of challenges and opportunities in disaster, identifying transparency as key to resolving these challenges. Liliana Cardozo de Cano, Tarjy, shared experiences using innovative insurance tools in Paraguay, with Sophia Belay, Oxfam America, sharing insights from working closely with small-scale farmers, underscoring the importance of monitoring and evaluation. Participants highlighted the role of partnerships in integrating risk transfer and strategy to build resilience. 

RISK INFORMATION AND LOSS DATABASES FOR EFFECTIVE DRR

Co-Chair Ricardo Peña-Herrero, Undersecretary of Risk Analysis, Ecuador, opened the session. Co-Chair Fatih Özer, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, Turkey, stated that disasters thwart societies’ ability to deliver long-term planning and that databases are essential to achieve reductions in disaster risks.

Panelists Tom de Groeve, DRM Unit, EU; Bapon Fakhruddin, Tonkin and Taylor, Bangladesh; Jutta May, Information and Knowledge Management Specialist, Noumea, New Caledonia; and Anoja Seneviratne, Director of Mitigation Research and Development, Sri Lanka, presented regional, national, and local experiences with disaster data collection and management, including best practices, lessons learned and challenges. Panelists emphasized the need for coherent approaches and standardized frameworks. In the ensuing discussion, they considered disaster funding, data collection on displacement, and best practices regarding coordination with the private sector.

PRIVATE SECTOR’S ENGAGEMENT IN DRR

Chloe Demrovsky, Executive Director, Disaster Recovery Institute International, chaired the working session. Daniel Stander, Global Managing Director, Risk Management Solutions, named opportunities such as moving from an indicator to a metric-based approach to articulate risks and value resilience, and to access the US$80 billion available for investments in resilient infrastructure. Mark Crosweller, Director General, Emergency Management, Australia, called for deeper engagement to ‘imagine’ consequences of catastrophe to better inform responses at the time of an actual disaster..”

Dale Sands, CH2M, called for solutions that are feasible, financially viable and politically acceptable. Jesús González Arellano, KPMG Mexico, identified the need to integrate, not only among sectors but also in global agreements, to create synergy and adapt to a quickly changing world. Participants then discussed, inter alia, potential incentives and regulations of metrics.

ACCELERATING EFFORTS IN BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO DISASTERS

Co-Chair Win Myat Aye, Minister of Social Welfare, Myanmar, invited participants to share experiences to identify key elements in establishing resilience, and Co-Chair Elhadj As Sy, Secretary-General, International Federation of Red Cross, underscored differentiating community reaction from community response, in order to go beyond awareness and be able to establish coping mechanisms and strategies.

Mayra Bermúdez, Mesa Nacional Incidencia de Gestión del Riesgo, Honduras, stressed that empowered women and children are agents of change within their communities. Anne Akwango, Development Network of Voluntary Indigenous Associations, Uganda, explained that community integration begins at the design level and is maintained through accountability.

Kiyoshi Murakami, City of Rikuzentakata, Japan, illustrated the recovery experienced in Tohoku after the 2011 tsunami, which was achieved through inclusive, engaged societies. Iván Andrey Brenes, President, National Commission for Prevention of Risks and Emergency Response, Costa Rica, shared voices from resilient communities, highlighting the importance of preventative measures. Vicente Raimundo Núñez-Flores, European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), linked early action to local action, saying that, for example, early funding can be attained through local efforts. Observing that social contracts cannot be underestimated, Elisabeth Longva, Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning, Norway, said trust is a key element in building resilience in communities.

CONTRIBUTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVING THE 2020 SENDAI TARGET

Session Co-Chairs Renato Solidum, Undersecretary for DRR and Climate Change, Department of Science and Technology, the Philippines, and Juan Carlos Villagran, Head, UN Platform for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), opened the session, noting its objective to help bridge the divide between science and policy and the important role that science and technology play in the implementation of the Sendai Framework. Panelists Gordon McBean, President, International Council for Science (ICSU); Royol Chitradon, Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute, Thailand; Irina Rafliana, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia; Ian Clark, European Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre, European Commission; and Marcial Bonilla, Mexican National Council of Science and Technology, discussed, inter alia: promoting dialogue between the scientific community and other stakeholders; supporting multi-disciplinary science programmes at all levels; overcoming public resistance to scientific communications; enhancing scientific endeavors in developing countries; and promoting coherent data approaches to reduce uncertainty. Panelists and discussants presented additional information on national scientific networks and programmes, global research partnerships, and youth science programmes.

In response to questions from the audience, panelists addressed issues such as evidence-based decision-making, knowledge sharing, conducting integrated research at scale, and enhancing the role of social and other ‘soft’ sciences, particularly with regard to assessing best practices.

ACHIEVING THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK AND SDG’S TARGET AT LOCAL LEVEL

Riadh Mouakhar, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Tunisia, and Relinda Sosa Perez, President, National Confederation of Women Organised for Life and Integrated Development (CONAMOVIDI), Peru, co-chaired the session. Violeta Seva, Makati, the Philippines, highlighted three components of DRR implementation necessary for local areas: creating an enabling environment; understanding risk as the foundation of DRM; and defining specific strategies to facilitate implementation.

Juan Ernesto Zapata Silva, Quito Municipality, Ecuador, underscored the importance of understanding disaster risks prior to establishing response protocol. Adam Banaszak, Mayor of Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland, outlined EU priorities for DRR implementation, including: a grassroots approach; resilience by design; and financing disaster resilience through the private sector.

During the ensuing discussion, Matthew Lynch, World Council on City Data, observed that global frameworks can help cities establish disaster response approaches including minimum standards, and learn from past mistakes. On a question regarding civic engagement, Seva highlighted that the Philippines uses participatory risk assessments, which help trace the level of understanding and awareness of risk reduction within communities.

DRR GOVERNANCE

The session was co-chaired by Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Disaster Management, Sri Lanka, and Robert Šakić Trogrlić, University of Edinburgh. Yapa said that the “time is right” to take stock of existing national and local DRR strategies. Trogrlić noted that while governance is the umbrella under which DRR takes place, it can be a bottleneck to effective implementation.

Panelists María Luisa Romero, Minister of Government, Panama; Fadi Hamdan, Disaster Risk Management Centre, Lebanon; Dilanthi Amaratunga, Chair, DRR Governance ‘Words into Action’ Working Group; Carlos Iván Márquez Pérez, Director-General, National Unit for DRM, Colombia; and Natalia Ilieva, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, discussed, inter alia: national and local experiences in disaster risk governance (DRG); how to enhance DRR management actions through cooperation; disparate treatment of extensive versus intensive disaster risks; the role of accountability in effective DRG; and the role of media as an agent of change.

During discussions, panelists considered gender sensitivity in DRG, existing gaps in achieving Sendai 2030 Framework objectives, multi-sectoral cooperation, and the role of media in ensuring accountability in DRG.

INCLUSIVE AND PEOPLE-CENTERED DRR

Co-Chairs Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Coordinator for SDGs, Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh, and Natalia Kanem, Assistant Secretary-General, UNFPA, opened discussions on how to broaden social inclusiveness in planning and responding to disaster. Kanem clarified that disaster effects fall disproportionately on marginalized groups, urging shifting perceptions of these groups as burdens on society to considering them as sources of inspiration.

Lenny Rosalin, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Indonesia, shared experiences in raising awareness and capacity building, and Raphael Obonyo, External Advisor on UN-Habitat’s Youth Advisory Board, referred to the youth’s potential to implement the Sendai Framework. Mary Jack, ActionAid, Vanuatu, speaking on behalf of 4000 women “whose voices have never been heard,” conveyed the message that women want to be a part of decision making, “not in consultation,” but with a seat at the table. Carlos Kaiser Mansilla, Executive Director, ONG Inclusiva, Chile, explained that if something is made safe for people with disabilities, it will be safe for everyone.

During discussions, representatives from youth, people with disabilities, elders, and displaced people shared testimonies highlighting how they should and can contribute to DRR planning and programming.

DISASTER ECOSYSTEMS PROTECTION, MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENT AGRICULTURE FOR REDUCING DISASTER RISKS

Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairman, Committee of Emergency Situation and Civil Defense, Tajikistan, and Jane Madgwick, CEO, Wetlands International, co-chaired the meeting. Margareta Wahlström, President, Swedish Red Cross, urged stakeholders to work together despite differences in perspective in order to address difficult issues that undermine DRR, such as “land grabbing.”

Adrian Fitzgerald, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, stated that in the past, mistakes were made in agriculture planning, but these could be corrected by including provisions for biodiversity in DRR, such as incentives for farmers. Rony Estuardo Granados Mérida, Instituto Nacional de Bosques, Guatemala, outlined examples of techniques used in Guatemala to increase disaster resilience. He urged shifting the perception of farmers as victims of ecosystem degradation, to farmers as part of the solution.

In the discussion, several delegates reiterated the need for participatory processes and adequate political channels. Madgwick urged policy makers to first consider natural rather than built infrastructure as a means to address DRR.

PROMOTING LAND-USE AND SPATIAL PLANNING FOR DRR

Session Co-Chairs Dan Lewis, UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and Rolando Ocampo Alcántar, INEGI and Co-Chair of UN Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), opened the session. Co-Chair Alcántar presented UN-GGIM’s geo-referencing initiative which provides country planners with quality, available data and enables the monitoring of progress towards the SDGs.

Panelists Roberto Moris, National Research Center for Integrated Natural Disasters Management, Chile; Miho Ohara, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), Japan; and Ebru Gencer, Executive Director, Center for Urban Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (CUDRR+R), discussed how land-use planning can reduce risk and enhance resilience. Panelists also gave presentations on their respective national and local experiences with planning for DRR.

In the discussion, panelists emphasized the need for strategic planning approaches that are proactive and resilient. Delegates addressed issues, including: competing pressures on land; valuing traditional knowledge in land-use planning; addressing the dynamic nature of risks and hazards; integrating planning into educational initiatives; effectively getting “fit-for-purpose” data to planners; and encouraging private insurers to get involved in land-use planning.

CULTURAL HERITAGE AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Co-Chair Kiren Rijiju, State Minister for Home Affairs, India, explained that loss of cultural heritage resulting from disaster is incalculable, underscoring the need for prevention and planning. Co-Chair Ana Lucy Bengochea, Community Leader, Garifuna, Honduras, welcomed recommendations to strengthen integrated participation and coordination of local communities.

Gianluca Silvestrini, Executive Secretary, EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, Council of Europe, described the Council’s heritage work as “a practice in democracy and human rights” focused on inclusive, participatory governance and addressing societal challenges through heritage. Nuria Sanz, UNESCO Mexico, said that protecting heritage should begin from “day one of humanitarian aid,” explaining that cultural heritage and diversity are safeguards that support resilience and adaptation. Lara Steil, Brazilian National Center for Prevention and Combat of Forest Fires, PREVFOGO, detailed the use of traditional knowledge of fire that has been applied in national strategies.

Referencing a call for consultation of and engagement with traditional, local and indigenous communities, Todd Kuiack, Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Canada, said “nothing about us without us,” highlighting that disasters can have a slow onset when caused by factors such as climate change. Simon Lambert, University of Saskatchewan, discussed the ongoing social dysfunction that continues to marginalize indigenous people, potentially limiting their capacity to address future risks.

HEALTH AND DRR

Supamit Chunsuttiwat, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, and Aida Zabal Laruda, Tolosa Federation of Senior Citizens Organization, the Philippines, co-chaired the session. Alex Camacho, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), explained that through well-coordinated and multi-sectoral responses, PAHO member states are strengthening their ability to address disaster risks. Felipe Cruz-Vega, Mexican Social Security Institute, outlined the experience of Mexico in implementing the Safe Hospital Initiative, which involves transitioning to environmentally friendly, resilient hospitals that are able to treat mass casualties.

Massimo Ciotti, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, highlighted the work of his organization, including assisting its member states in the development of tools and guidelines. William Karesh, EcoHealth Alliance, US, outlined the drivers of infectious diseases, and the responsibility of all stakeholders to act to reduce risks. Cristina Romanelli, Secretariat, Convention on Biological Diversity, emphasized that ecosystem degradation can and does increase the vulnerability of human populations to health challenges. She observed that Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Eco-DRR present opportunities to address disaster-driven health challenges, and they have the added value of involving local participation in the assessment of risk vulnerabilities.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) emphasized that health systems are only truly resilient when they are inclusive of all populations, and international coordination is essential to address this global challenge.

LEADERS FORUM

On Wednesday, high-level delegates met behind closed doors, releasing the Cancún High-Level Communiqué as a result of their consultations.

Final Outcome: In the Communiqué, the participants of the Leaders Forum, inter alia:

• recognize that globally, direct economic losses attributed to disasters are increasing significantly, having over the last decade reached close to US$1.4 trillion, and that indirect economic losses magnify that figure;
• understand that climate change affects the frequency and intensity of weather-related hazards and presents greater challenges to DRR and building resilience;
• recognize that the poor suffer disproportionately from natural and man-made hazards as poverty significantly undermines people’s socio-economic resilience to disasters, and disasters further erode livelihoods and wellbeing and deplete resilience, thus exacerbating poverty and non-economic losses;
• note that the public and private sectors are interdependent when it comes to the development, functioning, maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure;
• emphasize the urgency to take immediate action to reverse the current trends of water scarcity, floods, degradation of sewer systems and sanitation, and other water-related disasters;
• underscore the societal need, and recognize the business opportunity, for increasing partnerships between public and private sectors and civil society in the development, maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure and urban development, including housing, to reduce disaster risk; and
• resolve to work together and call upon all actors to, inter alia: implement the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030, in coherence with the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the New Urban Agenda and other relevant instruments; conduct a disaster risk assessment of existing critical infrastructure by 2019; invest in collection of data and information on disaster risk and losses, taking into account the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples and addressing intensive and extensive risk, underlying risk drivers, and ensuring that data and information are tailored to local contexts; pursue the development and expansion of risk transfer mechanisms, including social safety net schemes to protect the population, natural assets, livelihoods and infrastructure, enhance their penetration and coverage, especially for poor and low-income groups, and strengthen community resilience; promote people-centered, gender-sensitive, accessible and resilient urban development that supports society as a whole, including the vulnerable, poor and marginalized; and take stock of progress at the next Global Platform for DRR which will take place in Switzerland in 2019.

CLOSING PLENARY

Kirsi Madi, Director, UNISDR, moderated the closing session. Carlos Joaquín González, Governor of Quintana Roo, Mexico, thanked participants and contributors, and urged further collaborative work towards DRR.

Robert Glasser, SRSG for DRR and Head of UNISDR, expressed gratitude to those involved in the planning and execution of the conference, and encouraged delegates to consider DRR as a set of tools to overcome painful events, plan for the future, and step outside established silos.

Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, Minister of Interior, Mexico, lauded the gathering for sending a clear message that “if nations work together, we are going to fulfill the mission and demands we face.” He highlighted priority actions from the Chairs’ Summary of the Global Platform, including, inter alia: creating and implementing strategic methodologies for information management on risks and threats; strengthening institutional coordination and collaboration, from the community level to multilateral agreements; and promoting an enabling environment for development of public private partnerships. He noted cross-cutting themes including: monitoring the implementation of the Sendai Framework alongside the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda; a people-centered approach to leave no one behind; and recognition of solidarity among nations. He urged delegates to forge ahead together “based on the sum of all efforts and the multiplication of our capacities.”

Manuel Bessler, Head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, Switzerland, stated that the diversity of delegates demonstrated the inclusivity of the Global Platform process, called on everyone to take the theme ‘from commitment to action’ home, and welcomed delegates to the next Global Platform meeting in Geneva, Switzerland in 2019.

Madi closed the meeting at 5:43 pm.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

ECOSOC Special Meeting on Innovations in Infrastructure Development and Promoting Sustainable Industrialization: The President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will organize this meeting to highlight the relevance of industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9). The Special Meeting will aim to bring the challenges involved to the attention of national, regional and international actors, and to forge solutions to bridge the gaps in infrastructure and industrialization across countries. Two preparatory meetings will consider key messages and relevant practice and policy. date: 31 May 2017 location: New York City, US contact: President of ECOSOC www: https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/events/2017/2017-special-meeting-ecosoc-%E2%80%9Cinnovations-infrastructure-development-and-promoting

HLPF 5: The fifth session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, convening under the auspices of ECOSOC, will be held under the theme “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world.” HLPF 5 will conduct in-depth reviews of the implementation of five SDGs: Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere; Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; and Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. dates: 10-19 July 2017 location: UN Headquarters, New York contact: UN Division for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs www: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf

Fourth Informal Thematic Session for Global Compact on Migration: The first phase of the preparatory process for the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration will include a series of six informal thematic sessions, organized by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) President. The fourth thematic session will convene from 24-25 July 2017, at UN Headquarters in New York, US, and will address, ‘Contributions of migrants and diasporas to all dimensions of sustainable development, including remittances and portability of earned benefits’. dates: 24-25 July 2017 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York City, US www: https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/migration-compact

UNCCD COP 13: The thirteen session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), along with the sixteenth session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 16) and the thirteenth session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST 13), will convene in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China, from 6-16 September 2017. A high-level segment will also take place during COP 13, from 11-12 September. At COP 13, UNCCD dates: 6-16 September 2017 location: China additional: Ordos, Inner Mongolia contact: UNCCD Secretariat e-mail: secretariat@unccd.int www: http://www2.unccd.int/cop13

Fifth Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD): The Fifth Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) will take place on the theme, ‘The World in 2050: Looking Ahead for Sustainable Development’. The 27 conference topics will cover all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a number of cross-cutting issues, including data, the role of universities in achieving the SDGs, and the arts as a tool to raise awareness of the SDGs. dates: 18-19 September 2017 venue: Columbia University, Lerner Hall location: New York City, US www: http://ic-sd.org

Minamata Convention on Mercury COP1: The First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP1) will be held within one year of entry into force of the Convention, which will take effect 16 August 2017. dates: 24-29 September 2017   location: Geneva, Switzerland contact: Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention   phone: +41-22-917-8511 fax: +41-22-797-3460 email: mercury.chemicals@unep.org www: http://www.mercuryconvention.org

2017 Environment and Emergencies Forum: The Environment and Emergencies Forum (EEF) is a global event organized by UN Environment and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), bringing together stakeholders from around the world to showcase innovations in environmental emergency preparedness and response, and to highlight current efforts on integrating environmental risk in humanitarian action. The 2017 Environment and Emergencies Forum will explore the nexus of environmental risk and humanitarian crisis against global trends. It will provide a platform for taking action to strengthen environmental resilience through an increased focus on the readiness of Member States, regional and national organizations, civil society and academia, to address the environmental dimensions of emergencies. dates: 26-28 September 2017 location: Nairobi, Kenya www: http://eecentre.org/eef/

Sixth Meeting of IAEG-SDGs [tentative]: The 6th Meeting of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on the Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) will be held during Northern Fall in 2017.  date: 1 October 2017 location: TBA www: http://unstats.un.org/sdgs/meetings/ 

UNFCCC COP 23: The 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) to the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be organized by Fiji and hosted at the headquarters of the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany.  dates: 6-17 November 2017 location: Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany contact: UNFCCC Secretariat phone: (49-228) 815-1000 fax: (49-228) 815-1999 e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://unfccc.int/meetings/unfccc_calendar/items/2655.php?year=2017

 World Bosai Forum/International Disaster and Risk Conference 2017: This conference is expected to, inter alia, promote the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.  dates: 25-28 November 2017 location: Sendai, Japan contact: World Bonsai Forum e-mail: wbf-contact@irides.tohoku.ac.jp www: http://www.worldbosaiforum.com/english

53rd Meeting of the GEF Council: The 53rd meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council will take place from 28-30 November 2017, in Washington, DC, US. The meeting will be preceded by the GEF CSO Consultation, on 4 December. The Council, which meets twice annually, develops, adopts and evaluates the operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities. It also reviews and approves the work program (projects submitted for approval). On the final day, the Council will convene as the Council of the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), also at the same location. dates: 28-30 November 2017 location: Washington D.C., US contact: GEF Secretariat www: https://www.thegef.org/events/53rd-gef-council-meeting

Third Meeting of the UN Environment Assembly: The third meeting of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 3), will be held, on an exceptional basis, from 4-6 December 2017, with the high-level segment taking place on 5-6 December, and the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) from 29 November to 1 December.  dates: 4-6 December 2017 venue: UN Office in Nairobi location: Nairobi, Kenya contact: Jorge Laguna-Celis, Secretary of Governing Bodies phone: +254-20-7623431 e-mail: unep.sgb@unep.org www: http://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/20356/Revised%20Structure%20of%202017%20UN%20Environment%20Assembly_21.4.2017_HON.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Ninth World Urban Forum: The ninth World Urban Forum (WUF9), convened by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), will bring together thousands of stakeholders to share practices and knowledge on how cities are built, planned and managed. The WUF’s key objectives include: advocating for and raising awareness on sustainable urban development; advancing knowledge on sustainable urbanization through debates, and exchange of experiences and best practices; and coordinating and cooperating within and between different constituencies towards advancing and implementing the Habitat Agenda. WUF9 will be the first Forum to meet after the post-2015 development agenda process and the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development – Habitat III in 2016.  date: 7-13 February 2018 location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia contact: UN-Habitat phone: (+254) 20 7621234 e-mail: infohabitat@unhabitat.org www: http://wuf9.org/

Sixth Global Platform for DRR: The sixth Global Platform is scheduled to bring together stakeholders at all levels to discuss disaster risk and resilience. dates: TBC 2019 location: Geneva, Switzerland contact: UNISDR Secretariat phone: +41 2291-78907 fax: +41 2291-78964 email: isdr@un.org www: http://www.unisdr.org