Third WCDRR Opens, global focus is on what to focus next?

The Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) was kicked off today in Sendai, Japan. It will be held from 14 to 18 March 2015 in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. Several thousand participants including world leaders are attending the event as well as related events linked to the World Conference under the umbrella of building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.

In his opening remarks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the importance of the conference: "The Hyogo Framework for Action adopted a decade ago has saved thousands of people’s lives. Now we must respond to the world’s growing needs by empowering individuals, supporting communities and backing promises with resources. We must especially help the poorest and most vulnerable people. Disaster risk reduction is a frontline defence against the impact of climate change. It is a smart investment for business and a wise investment in saving lives. True resilience comes from strong bonds among countries and communities. That is why we are meeting here in Sendai." http://www.un-spider.org/news-and-events/news/wcdrr-opens-sendai-japan

The Secretary-General stated that annual economic losses now exceed US$ 300 billion annually. “We can watch that number grow as more people suffer. Or we can dramatically lower that figure and invest the savings in development. Six billion dollars allocated each year can result in savings of up to US$360 billion by 2030, the Secretary-General said. http://www.wcdrr.org/news?id=43082

The aim of the five-day conference, which wraps up Wednesday, is to update the Hyogo Framework for Action -- a landmark agreement reached a decade ago in Hyogo, Japan, in the aftermath of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. The agreement details the work required from different sectors to reduce loss of life and property in a disaster.

The Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, pledged $US 4 billion to support implementation of the “Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction” over the next four years. Speaking at the opening of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Abe said: “Disaster risk reduction is the most important challenge for both developed and developing countries. For developing countries in particular, where 90% of disaster victims are concentrated.”

The package will focus on the development of disaster-proof infrastructure, the promotion of global and regional cooperation and the training of 40,000 government officials and local leaders to play a leading role in national efforts for disaster risk reduction. Japan will make its expertise and knowledge available.

The French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, made an appeal at the Conference opening for the creation of a worldwide early warning system for Climate Disasters - “Climate Disaster Warning” - as he stated that 70% of disasters are now linked to climate change, double the number of twenty years ago.

The President of Vanuatu, Baldwin Lonsdale, was visibly moved as he told the gathering that “I am speaking with you today with a heart that is so heavy. I do not really know what impact Cyclone Pam has left on Vanuatu, as there are no confirmed reports as yet. All I can say is that our hope for prospering into the future has been shattered.”

Margareta Wahlstrom, Head of the U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, reportedly said that though there is a “general agreement” among world leaders that there is a need to move from managing disasters to managing disaster risk, opinions differ on how best to do that.

The Conference attended by 186 governments will adopt a new post-2015 framework for Disaster Risk Reduction on March 18 in place of the current Hyogo Framework for Action adopted ten years ago at the last World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Kobe, Japan.

Ban Ki-moon says frankly speaking govt leaders have not been paying enough attention to #drr. #wcdrr press conference https://twitter.com/globalnetworkdr

Please refer http://www.wcdrr.org/home for updates on WCDRR.

Nepal Delegation has been led by Foreign Minister Mr. Mahendra B Pandey. Nepal will present on March 15, 2015. Government of Nepal and DRR stakeholders have planned for sessions in this conference. NSET team will post updates on Nepal activiies in 3rdWCDRR. NSET, Eco-Nepal and DRR stakeholders have also managed a Booth to showcase DRR Efforts in Nepal – at 6th floor of Mediatheque.

<KSO & Team/from various sources and on-spot visits>

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