4 June 2014: Delegates called for a Post-2015 Framework for DRR to link, where appropriate, with the expected 2015 climate change agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The call came at the conclusion of the Sixth Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management (DRM). The statement, titled ‘Way Forward: Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific,’ calls for a “whole-of-society” approach to prevent and reduce disaster risk.

The Pacific Platform, which convened in Suva, Fiji, is part of a series of consultations leading up to the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Japan. The World Conference, set for March 2015, is expected to adopt a global framework on disaster risk to replace the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA).

In a video address, Secretary-General of UNISDR Margareta Wahlström said, “the Pacific is one of the first regions in the world to clearly foresee the obvious links between climate change, DRR and sustainable development policies” She underscored “no development can be sustainable without linking these three agendas together to be part of the same solution.”

“The Pacific deserves its place among the world’s best in terms of integrating its strategies,” declared Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests. Fekita Utoikamanu, Deputy Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), highlighted initiatives taken by Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to institute national policies on DRM.

The Statement outlines the Pacific community’s position on a Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific (SRDP) and the post-2015 development agenda. The Statement, inter alia: emphasizes the importance of an inclusive process that involves the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), persons with disabilities, women and men, the elderly, youth, migrants and volunteers; and requests the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) to organize regional collaborations for monitoring and review of DRR efforts in the Pacific, especially the expected Post-2015 Framework for DRR.

During the Platform, UNISDR presented the inaugural Pacific Innovation & Leadership Award for Resilience (PILAR) to Caritas Australia, the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI), and the Pacific Disability Forum for their work with vulnerable populations on disaster awareness and preparedness.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community hosted the Platform, in partnership with UNISDR. [UNISDR Press Release 2 June 2014] [UNISDR Press Release 4 June 2014] [UNISDR Press Release 5 June 2014] [Meeting Website] [The Way Forward: Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific]