Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Bulletin June 12, 2007

Aga Khan Development Network, Princess Zahra. trackback

The first session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (Global Platform) was held from 5-7 June 2007, at the Centre International de Conférences de Genève, in Geneva, Switzerland. Approximately 1200 participants attended the session, including representatives from over 120 governments, 64 UN specialized agencies and observer organizations, and 54 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The meeting represented the primary multistakeholder forum for all parties involved in disaster risk reduction and aimed to raise awareness on reducing disaster risk, share experience, and guide the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction system. The meeting was preceded by a day of preparatory meetings, also held in Geneva.

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Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), outlined AKDN’s disaster risk reduction activities, including its actions following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and called for greater access to earth sciences skills and technology in developing countries. Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General, WMO, outlined the human and economic cost of disasters since 1980, noting that 90% were weather-related. He said WMO has worked towards improving early warning capacity and reducing loss of life. Jeff Gutman, Vice President, World Bank, noted the Bank’s emergency response programmes were increasingly emphasizing disaster risk reduction activities. He outlined how the Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction, launched with ISDR and global donors, ensured disaster risk reduction elements were incorporated into reconstruction following disasters, and said the meeting should identify tangible Hyogo Framework results.

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