12 September 2014: The second World Reconstruction Conference (WRC 2) brought together over 500 practitioners and policymakers from governments, civil society and the private sector to share lessons learned in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. The conference aimed to help countries incorporate disaster recovery into their policies and institutions given the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters.

During the event, which convened from 10-12 September 2014, in Washington, DC, World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change Rachel Kyte said shared action is required to rebuild stronger physical infrastructures, and establish the policies and mechanisms necessary to create more resilient economies. Gina Caesar, Associate Administrator, UN Development Programme (UNDP), underscored that disaster risk reduction (DRR) is necessary to achieve sustainable development.

Organized by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the World Bank, in partnership with the EU, UNDP, UNISDR and others, WRC 2 explored a number of issues related to post-disaster recovery, including physical reconstruction efficiency, technological and green innovations, and recovery in fragile and conflict situations. The conference also focused on: the link between recovery and poverty; empowering women and communities for inclusive and participatory recovery; and country experiences in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Specific sessions convened on, inter alia: the political economy of recovery; the role of recovery in bridging humanitarian and development efforts; business continuity in post-disaster situations; national post-disaster reconstruction financing, transparency and delivery accountability; accelerating housing recovery; the role of the private sector in recovery; and livelihood recovery and social protection.

The conference also included a session featuring five “inspirational speakers” who shared their experiences through 3D art installations. In addition, WRC 2 launched a joint EU-UN-World Bank Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) Guide and a Disaster Recovery Framework (DRF) Guide, both of which aim to help countries design and implement disaster recovery programmes that contribute to sustainable development.

Over 30 countries and partner agencies issued a joint statement supporting the inclusion of resilient recovery in the post-2015 DRR framework to be adopted at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in March 2015, in Sendai, Japan. In addition, WCR2 aimed to build momentum toward establishing post-disaster recovery as an integral part of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The first World Reconstruction Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2011. [WRC 2 Website] [World Bank Press Release] [UNDP Press Release]