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Disaster risk following economic development pathways in Thailand says UNISDR Chief

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Margareta Wahlström, met today with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Kittiratt Na-Ranong, to discuss new government proposals on risk management and to urge Government support for business continuity plans following the costliest disaster in the country’s history. 		23 Jan 2012 Press release

9/11 inspires US private, public sector summit on resilience

Some of the biggest names in the U.S. private and public sectors gathered in New York on Wednesday at a Pace University Summit on Resilience to see how best partnerships between these two sectors could be developed to strengthen resilience in cities and communities in light of increasing hazards. 		13 Jan 2012 News briefs

Securing our common future - Address by Margareta Wahlström

I am honoured to have been invited to contribute to this conference and share the United Nations’ perspective on risk, risk management and risk reduction. More than 40 years of work on hazards, risks, and practical means to reduce the risks of loss of life, as well as social and economic losses due to natural hazards, have created a significant body of knowledge. 		11 Jan 2012 Statements & speeches

Disasters now key in multinational country assessments

Disaster risk is now a key factor influencing the way corporations look at living standards, particularly when structuring compensation packages for expatriate employees. 		12 Dec 2011 News briefs

APEC pledges private sector engagement in disaster resilience

Countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) have pledged to increase private sector engagement in their disaster resilience agenda, in a year when floods and earthquakes have wiped out assets worth billions of dollars across the region. 		15 Nov 2011 News briefs

UNISDR head meets with private sector in China to discuss disaster risk reduction

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Margareta Wahlström, is in China today for a first round of consultations on disaster risk reduction with entrepreneurs and business people. 		8 Nov 2011 Press release

Japanese students announce a ‘Youth Declaration’ to revitalize Tohuku region

Four student representatives from Kobe University, Bukkyo University and Tohuku University announced a ‘Youth Declaration’ during United Nations Day celebrations in Sendai City to highlight the commitment and active participation of youth in building disaster resilient communities. 		24 Oct 2011 News briefs

Gabon’s National Platform holds inaugural workshop, solutions for future disasters must go beyond humanitarian response

A three-day workshop took place in Libreville from 25-27 July to officially launch the activities of Gabon’s National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. There was a clear vision from the participants of the workshop that humanitarian response could not solve the problem of disasters. 		2 Aug 2011 News briefs

Halfway through 2011, estimated economic losses already USD265 billion – DRR needed more than ever, says UN

So far this year, the economic losses from very severe natural hazards totals some USD265 billion. According to reinsurance giant Munich RE, 2011 is the highest-ever loss year on record, despite the fact the first half of the year has only just been completed. 		14 Jul 2011 News briefs

Message from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General For Disaster Risk Reduction On World Population Day

The United Nations secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) joins the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in observing World Population Day 2011 – The World at 7 Billion. We welcome the campaign 7 Billion Actions which will spur commitment and spark actions vis-à-vis the opportunities and challenges presented by a world of seven billion people. 		11 Jul 2011 Statements & speeches

Future Development Must Be Centred Around Risk: article by United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Chief

Around 20% of the Earth is at risk from at least one natural hazard and more than half the world’s six billion plus population is exposed. In a matter of minutes, at least one hazard can change the world they know. Only through incorporating risk into development planning can we start to reduce this exposure. 		6 Jul 2011 Statements & speeches

Global business consulting firm commits to reducing disaster risk as 'Disaster Risk Reduction Private Sector Partnership' initiative launches

President Mauricio Mobarak of global consulting firm UC&CS has signed a statement of commitment announced by UNISDR's Private Sector Advisory Group during the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in May. 		30 Jun 2011 News briefs

Africa urged to speak ‘as one’ to tackle disasters and climate change, as Assembly of the African Union comes to a close in Malabo

As the 17th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union wrapped up in Malabo, Guinea, talks of a common voice on sustainable development have continued to dominate agendas in Africa ahead of the United Nations climate talks to be held in Durban in December. The need to address the issue of disasters and climate change continues to at the fore of various platforms of implementing the extended Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. 		30 Jun 2011 News briefs

Maldives Government Endorses World’s First Strategic National Action Plan Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation

The Government of the Maldives has fully endorsed the world’s first Strategic National Action Plan (SNAP) that integrates Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). 		24 Jun 2011 Press release

Mayors unanimously adopt declaration to build urban resilience and fight climate change

Following the 2nd World Congress on Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change, mayors from over sixty countries unanimously adopt the 2011 Bonn Declaration of Mayors to commit to globally coordinated local climate action. In the declaration, building resilience to disasters was highlighted as a critical issue. 		14 Jun 2011 News briefs

Top IBM and AECOM executives join UNISDR Private Sector Advisory Group as commitment by sector to disaster risk reduction grows

Two executives from IBM and AECOM joined UNISDR’s growing Private Sector Advisory Group to support the organization’s work in engaging and supporting companies and businesses in reducing their risk to disasters. 		9 Jun 2011 News briefs

Chair's Summary sees disaster risk reduction as key to preserving and protecting environment and ensuring sustainable development

Half of humanity is now living in cities - commitment to resilience is urgently needed, said Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in her final summary. 		3 Jun 2011 News briefs

Risk Award announced at Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction as conference comes to a close

For the first time, Munich Re Foundation, the Global Risk Forum GRF Davos and United Nations secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) join forces and offer €100,000 to a risk reduction project that will contribute to increasing people’s resilience to disasters, especially in developing communities which are most at risk. 		13 May 2011 Press release

Calls for 'coalition of action' to address link between natural hazards and nuclear safety at Global Platform for DRR ending today

In a year marred by disaster losses over US$300 billion, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called, at the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, for a “coalition of action” and a high-level meeting during the next General Assembly to address the link between natural hazards and nuclear safety. 		13 May 2011 Press release

Finance, insurance, construction sectors announced joint private sector commitment to tackle disaster vulnerability

Representatives of the finance, insurance and construction sector at the Global Platform yesterday sounded a call for action on the five essentials for business in disaster risk reduction, in line with the main finding of the United Nations Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction that losses from disasters are rising faster than gains made through economic growth. 		11 May 2011 News briefs

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to open the latest session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Global Platform will be opened today by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will also launch a report entitled 2011 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction – Revealing risks, redefining development. Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro will chair the forum in Geneva. 		10 May 2011 News briefs

UN Secretary-General announces a discussion on nuclear energy in September

The international community must “risk proof” development because disasters are taking a heavy toll on rich and poor countries as well as outpacing their ability to respond, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told delegates today, at the foremost gathering of stakeholders on reducing disaster risk which opened this afternoon in Geneva and will run until Friday, 13 May. 		10 May 2011 Press release

Two days until the official opening of the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The final touches are being added to the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 8-13 May. The Global Platform will be opened officially by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on May 10. 		8 May 2011 News briefs

In times of dwindling resources, disaster risk reduction is an easy win

A new report from the United Nations confirms what governments already hear but are slow to believe: that disciplined public sector involvement in “disaster risk reduction” can significantly reduce setbacks brought by hundreds of droughts, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes and other hazards that befall the world each year, on average. 		9 Mar 2011 Press release

To build the resilience of nations and communities to disasters, we need equal and active participation of men and women in disaster risk reduction.

Disasters affect men and women differently, and so we will continue to lobby for gender-sensitive vulnerability, risk and capacity assessments. Studies show that women’s vulnerabilities during and after disasters is linked to their role and status in society, making women and children 14 times more likely to die than men during a disaster. 		8 Mar 2011 News briefs

Reducing vulnerability to natural hazards must become top international priority says General Assembly President

Addressing journalists at the Palais des Nations on 28 February, General Assembly President Joseph Deiss said that reducing vulnerability to natural hazards must be a top priority of the international community. “Reducing disaster risks is essential if we are to consolidate progress made in development and poverty reduction,” he said, briefing correspondents on the outcome of the General Assembly Thematic Debate on disaster risk reduction, held on 9 February at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. 		28 Feb 2011 News briefs

GA debate stresses need to invest in planning, prevention

Joseph Deiss, President of the General Assembly said DRR was crucial for protecting progress made towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and for achieving sustainable development, at the GA Thematic Debate on DRR on 9 February. Throughout the day, he and other participants called for the enhancement of data collection and the scaling-up of investments in education, better urban planning, the sharing of information and technology, and the raising of awareness, especially to ensure that specific disasters and the needs of victims, remained high on the international agenda long after they had dropped from the news headlines. 		9 Feb 2011 News briefs

UNISDR hosts inaugural meeting of Private Sector Advisory Group

Acknowledging their "critical role in an effective disaster risk reduction strategy," UNISDR will bring together representatives from leading companies in an inaugural meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Group, on 17 December in Geneva. Ten companies forming the Advisory Group are DuPont Sustainable Solutions, PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, Willis Re and Willis Research Network, United Nations Foundation, MunichRe Foundation, Dow Chemical Europe, Titan America, Arup International, Credit Suisse and Small Equity Initiative. Along with other members of the private sector, the Advisory Group will discuss -- for the first time -- the "Ten Essentials for Business in Disaster Risk Reduction," outlining ways in which private companies can support governments to develop institutions and legislation to bolster disaster risk reduction. 		17 Dec 2010 News briefs

2nd Announcement for the 2011 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Third Session of the Global Platform will bring together disaster risk reduction, recovery and reconstruction experts. Over 2,000 policy makers and practitioners from both developing and developed countries will be invited to collect, assess and share information as well as set new directions for disaster risk reduction. The Third Session will be from 8-13 May 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland. 		26 Nov 2010 News briefs

Investors hold an Entrepreneurial Finance Seminar in Kenya

Investors in partnership with UNISDR held an Entrepreneurial Finance Seminar on 25 October to provide Kenyan entrepreneurs with training on capital formation options in the over-the-counter market in the United States.


>View full story 		25 Oct 2010 News briefs
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