17 December 2013: The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) has published a document outlining ‘Proposed Elements for Consideration in the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction,’ which draws from stakeholder consultations that have taken place since 2012.

The document describes three complementary strategic goals that the post-2015 DRR framework needs to address: risk prevention and development pathways that minimize risk; risk reduction; and strengthened resilience through actions that enable countries and communities to absorb loss and damage, and minimize impacts. It also proposes an enhanced monitoring system, including a new system of indicators for risk management, as well as indicators that are compatible with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the new climate agreement, both of which are expected to be adopted in 2015. In addition, the document suggests that a periodic review process for the post-2015 framework be undertaken by the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HPLF), which would ensure cross‐fertilization and harmonization with, and learning from, implementation of the future sustainable development agenda and the SDGs.

Guidance on the proposed elements came from, inter alia: advisory groups to the Special Representative, country reports through the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) Monitor, biennial UN Global Assessment Reports on Disaster Risk Reduction, and relevant deliberations of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The 3rd World Conference on DRR, to convene from 14-18 March 2015, in Sendai, Japan, is expected to review implementation of the HFA and adopt the post-2015 DRR framework, before it is sent to the UNGA for final adoption. UNISDR will: serve as the conference secretariat; facilitate development of the framework; and coordinate preparatory activities in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. [Proposed Elements for Consideration in the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction] [Press Release on Proposed Elements] [Post-2015 DRR Framework Website]