23 June 2011
UN/ISDR, UN-HABITAT and UNDP Convene Disaster Reduction Workshop
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The workshop on "Advancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Urban Strategy in the Gulf States" was organized in the context of rapid urbanization in the Arab region, which is challenged with stressed resources, vulnerable conditions, increasing risk from climate change impacts, and limited capacity and resources allocated for integration of risk reduction into urban planning.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ikaros_images/5147719227/20 June 2011: The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Kuwait convened a workshop on “Advancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Urban Strategy in the Gulf States,” which aimed to enhance stakeholder awareness and knowledge of disaster risk reduction (DRR) trends and policies in the context of urban planning, taking into account the risks and challenges faced by cities in a changing climate.

The event, which took place in Kuwait City, Kuwait, from 14-16 June 2011, brought together over 25 participants representing ministries for municipalities affairs, disaster management authorities, and representatives of cities from the Gulf region. UN/ISDR encouraged participants to follow the example of Bahrain, which officially declared a national focal point to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action. In addition, participants from Kuwait called for the establishment of a National Platform for DRR to address current and future natural hazard risk in the Emirate.

UN/ISDR underscored that rapid urbanization in the Arab region is challenged with stressed resources, vulnerable conditions, increasing risk from climate change impacts, and limited capacity and resources allocated for integration of risk reduction into urban planning. [UN/ISDR Press Release]

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