The adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters has given impetus to disaster reduction activities worldwide. Governments, UN agencies and regional organizations have already embarked on redefining national plans and strategies and in setting up promotional campaigns and institutional plans for further action. As agreed in the Hyogo Framework for Action, the ISDR system will work with national, regional and international partners in carrying out support functions to provide coordination and assistance in the promotion of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework.

In Kobe, at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, the Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Jan Egeland, expressed the commitment to strengthen the ISDR network to focus on the achievements of the goals set by the Hyogo Framework for Action. The 11th IATF/DR session that took place in Geneva on 24-26 May 2005 discussed the elements for a reform system. The proposal was further discussed and refined at the ISDR Stakeholder workshop that took place on 10-11 October 2005 in Geneva, and at the 12th IATF/DR that took place in Geneva on 22-24 November 2005. Mr. Egeland presented a revised proposal for reform on 19 December 2005, which is currently being implemented on a preliminary basis.

In summary, the main elements of the proposed strengthened ISDR system, as presented in the SG report to the UN General Assembly on August 2005 (A/60/180) are:

• A global forum called the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP/DRR) with participation of Governments in addition to UN agencies, regional organizations and civil society, with a particular role to advise on and commit to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework, and to guide the various associated networks and platforms (this builds on the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction, functioning 2000-2005). It also has a Programme Advisory Committee (PAC), to ensure programmatic support and coherence. An integrated work programme for the ISDR system will be developed by PAC, supported by the ISDR secretariat;
  
• A Management Oversight Board (MOB) with the function to provide advice on strategic, managerial and resource mobilization related issues to the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (Jan Egeland) in his functions as leader of the ISDR international system, with a representative from the UN Development Group as vice-chair (Kathleen Cravero, UNDP, has been appointed for this function already).
  
• An ISDR secretariat as an independent entity within the United Nations Secretariat, with a line of accountability to the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, to serve as “honest broker”, catalyst and main focal point within the UN system on disaster risk reduction issues, to continue to promote ownership and commitment to disaster risk reduction with national, regional and international constituencies, and report on progress;
  
• National platforms for disaster risk reduction defined by Governments in each country, with designated responsibility as national forums for coordination and follow-up for Hyogo Framework implementation and with appropriate links to the UN Country Teams, where applicable;
  
• Regional networks or coordination platforms for disaster reduction cooperation at regional and sub-regional level, including inter-agency task forces and networks of national platforms, for coordination and mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction in regional settings, and for advocacy and information networking;
  
• Thematic platforms or networks of expertise in support of priority areas identified in the Hyogo Framework led or supported by the Global Platform (Scientific panel/s- to be developed)