24 August 2017: Some of the recent developments relating to adaptation and loss and damage have included publications highlighting disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate resilience. In preparation for the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the UN Secretary-General issued reports on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 and on resilience building in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) published two reports developed under their collaborative Strategic Framework for WASH Climate Resilient Development.

The UN Secretary-General’s report on ‘Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030’ (A/72/259) provides an overview of progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework and includes a section on effective global response to address the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. The report highlights that, in order to have national and local DRR strategies in place by 2020, it is necessary to integrate disaster risk management (DRM), including climate risk, in sustainable development planning and budgets at the national and subnational levels. The report stresses the need, recognized by Sustainable Development Goal 17 (partnership for the Goals), for strong national coordination mechanisms that meaningfully engage all relevant institutions and stakeholders, as well as coherent support from the UN system. [Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030]

The UN Secretary-General’s report titled, ‘Crisis mitigation and resilience-building for the least developed countries’ (A/72/270): highlights various shocks and their impacts on sustainable development in the LDCs, including natural disasters, and economic and pandemic shocks; reviews the current national, regional and international landscapes of various risk management mechanisms; and makes recommendations for further action to strengthen the LDCs’ resilience. [Crisis Mitigation and Resilience-building for the Least Developed Countries]

UNGA 71 will formally close on 11 September 2017. UNGA 72 will open the following day. The General Debate, themed ‘Focusing on people: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet,’ will open on 19 September. [Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly: UNGA 72 Draft Programme of Work] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on UNGA 72 Documents on Education, Environmental Conventions and Social Development] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on UNGA 72 Addressing Trade, Gender and Human Development]

UNICEF and the GWP published a technical brief and a guidance note on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) climate-resilient development. The technical brief on ‘Appraising and prioritising options for climate resilient WASH’ outlines options for climate resilience in the sector. [Appraising and Prioritising Options for Climate Resilient WASH]

The UNICEF/GWP guidance note on ‘Risk assessments for WASH’ sets out an approach for conducting risk assessments for the WASH sector, and details risks across a wide range of hazard groups that affect the WASH sector, as well as climate-related risks.

Titled ‘Risk assessments for WASH,’ the UNICEF/GWP guidance note seeks to support national workshops in developing draft programmes, strategies and plans by, inter alia, setting out an approach for conducting risk assessments for the WASH sector and detailing risks across a wide range of hazard groups that affect the WASH sector, as well as climate-related risks. [Risk Assessments for WASH]

The GWP released the two publications as part of its activities during Stockholm World Water Week 2017. [GWP at Stockholm World Water Week 2017]