The Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), which was organized under the theme “Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow – Increased Investment in Local Action,” addressed reconstruction and recovery, the economics of DRR, and synergies with the international climate change and development agendas.
13 May 2011: The Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) took place from 9-13 May 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow – Increased Investment in Local Action.” The meeting built on the findings and recommendations of the 2009 Global Platform’s second session, as well as the results of the Mid-term Review of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), and the 2011 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
Participants met in plenary, roundtable and thematic sessions to address reconstruction and recovery, the economics of DRR, and synergies with the international climate change and development agendas. The Global Platform also hosted the first World Bank World Reconstruction Conference (WRC).
During the session on climate change adaptation and DRR, panelists discussed opportunities to harmonize DRR and adaptation in national policies, and in the design and implementation of resilience-building programmes. Socorro Flores Liera, Mexican Minister and Special Advisor for Climate Change, highlighted the need to better understand climate change adaptation and its impacts on agriculture, hydrology and species conservation. Jan Egeland, Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, noted hat as many as 70 countries do not have the capacity to understand and implement information on climate change adaptation.
During the mountains of risk roundtable, panelists highlighted the threats of climate change to mountain communities and the need to: mainstream a discussion on mountains into the the agenda of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD or Rio+20); and establish a platform for transboundary cooperation on mountain DRR.
During the discussion on the Mid-term Review of the HFA, participants called for a greater involvement of indigenous communities in the HFA process.
The Chair’s Summary, summarizing the key discussions and consensus points of the Global Platform, calls for, inter alia: the adoption of innovative social protection mechanisms to reduce disaster impacts; mechanisms and partnerships that integrate climate change adaptation and DRR into development planning; and regional summits and ministerial meetings to capitalize on the momentum achieved at the Third Global Platform. [Global Platform Chair’s Summary] [IISD RS Coverage of the Global Platform] [Global Platform Website]