First Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
5-7 June 2007 | Geneva, Switzerland

IISD's Summary

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Sunday, 10 June 2007
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Web coverage:
Monday, 4 June (preparatory meetings) - Tuesday, 5 June - Wednesday, 6 June - Thursday, 7 June

Highlights for Monday, 4 June 2007

On 4 June 2007, four parallel preparatory meetings convened in Geneva, Switzerland, preceding the first session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP/DRR), which will take place from 5-7 June 2007. The meetings included: the Global NGO Network preparatory meeting; a Latin American and Caribbean regional briefing session; a Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) consultation for Asia and the Pacific; and a Disaster Risk Reduction and Private Sector Leadership Roundtable.

During the Global NGO Network preparatory meeting, participants heard panel presentations on: disaster risk reduction (DRR) as a national priority; reducing risks in the health sector; education for DRR; ecosystems and environmental management for risk reduction; strengthening DRR through preparedness; and mainstreaming gender in DRR. The meeting concluded with the official launch of the Global Network of NGOs.

The Latin American and Caribbean briefing session included a presentation on the history of DRR how the ISDR system functions and the role of the GP/DRR. A provisional report entitled "Measuring Progress in Disaster Risk Reduction: Americas Regional Overview 2005-2006" was presented, and the process of adapting the HFA at regional contexts, countries’ progress towards establishing National Platforms and the need for more financial tools was discussed.

The HFA consultation for Asia and the Pacific included a regional review of progress on, and challenges to HFA implementation. Participants heard presentations of country experiences and a presentation of baseline status reports on DRR in Asia and the Pacific. Discussions also focused on the development of a regional platform for DRR/HFA implementation and monitoring for the ISDR system.

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Private Sector Leadership Roundtable involved some 40 high-level participants from the private sector as well as government and international agencies. Chaired by Dan Gagnier, International Institute for Sustainable Development, the group discussed the private sector’s experience with public-private partnerships for DRR and potential future directions.
Global NGO Network preparatory meeting
L-R: Zenaida Willison, UNDP; Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and Michele Cocchiglia, ISDR, during the Global NGO Network preparatory meeting.
Manu Gupta, Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network, discussed education for DRR and disaster-proof schools in communities at risk.
Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, outlined the goal and objectives of the meeting.
Patricia Bittner, World Health Organization (WHO), spoke about reducing risk in health facilities and the health sector.
Oenone Chadburn, Tearfund, stressed that DRR as a national priority needs to be championed.
Marla Petal, Risk RED, reported back to the meeting.
Latin American and Caribbean regional briefing session
Dave Zervaas, ISDR, introduced the session.
Haris Sanahuja, ISDR, presented the history of disaster reduction and discussed how the ISDR system functions.
The Hyogo Framework of Action consultation for Asia and the Pacific
Jotham Napat, Meteorological Services, Vanuatu, described developing a National Action Plan for disaster preparedness as a necessity for effectiveness.
Glenn Rabonza, National Disaster Coordination Centre, Philippines, discussed the process of developing a culture of proactive action, rather than reaction, for disaster preparedness.
Cristelle Pratt, South Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), said Pacific leaders recognized the importance of mainstreaming DRR.
Geethi Karunarathna, UNDP/DMC, said a challenge to implementing disaster preparedness programmes was changing prevailing attitudes from reactive to proactive.
Private Sector Leadership meeting
Members of the Roundtable on Disaster Risk Reduction and Private Sector Leadership discussed ways in which the private sector could help bring about greater disaster risk reduction, working together with communities, governments and other organizations involved in disaster reduction and response.
Satoru Nishikawa, Public Relations and International Cooperation, Government of Japan (left) and Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (center), addressed the roundtable, chaired by Dan Gagnier, International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Web coverage:
Monday, 4 June (preparatory meetings) - Tuesday, 5 June - Wednesday, 6 June - Thursday, 7 June
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