8 October 2008: On the occasion of the International Day for
Disaster Reduction, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted the greater
incidence of disasters in 2008 and called for increased action to “turn
commitments on paper into deeds” and implement the 2005 Hyogo Framework for
Action.

He stressed the need to incorporate disaster risk reduction into efforts
to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Ban added that climate change
increases the urgency to act, particularly in the world’s poorest and most
vulnerable communities. He urged all stakeholders to step up implementation of
the Hyogo Framework in order to reduce vulnerability and protect development. [The
Message]