13 November 2014: The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), in collaboration with various partners, organized a capacity-building seminar for stakeholders to discuss vulnerabilities and challenges faced by SIDS municipalities regarding the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the impacts of sea-level rise and other climate-related risks.

The seminar, titled ‘Collaborative Approaches and Solutions to Disasters Management Challenges for SIDS Municipalities in the Context of Sustainable Development,’ convened from 10-12 November 2014, in Singapore. The event was organized in collaboration with the UN Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD), the UN Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) and the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS).

The main purpose of the seminar was to identify major challenges in disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts in SIDS municipalities. It addressed: priority areas for recovery and rebuilding communities, including integrating DRR as a cross-cutting issue, and the importance of community-based owner-driven reconstruction; capacity building for resilience; best practices and lessons learned in infrastructure; community-based solutions; finance and resource mobilization; and partnerships with the private sector. [UNOSD Press Release] [UN-Water Newsletter]