The Hyogo Framework called upon the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR secretariat and partners) to assist in the implementation of the Framework and its priorities for action in collaboration with relevant national, regional, international and United Nations bodies. To that end, the ISDR secretariat, together with ISDR system partners, and guided by the Priorities for Action underlined in the Hyogo Framework.

The 2008-2009 workplan of the ISDR secretariat responds to the requirements set out in the Hyogo Framework . It builds on the achievements and the lessons learned of the 2006-2007 workplan and the guidance provided by the first session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The ISDR system as a whole has the overall responsibility to ensure increased and effective disaster risk reduction at national and local levels guided by the Hyogo Framework. Whereas the implementation of risk reduction must take place at national and local levels, the primary function of the ISDR secretariat is to support the ISDR system in assisting nationals and communities in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework. The secretariat will act as a facilitating body and "honest broker", in respect to policy coordination, advocacy, information provision, regional outreach and resource mobilization.

As part of its internal management function, the ISDR secretariat will put more emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of its activities. This will include a mid-term progress review with donor participation
to take stock of planned and achieved outputs, to make work plan revisions if necessary, and to generally increase donor confidence in the work of the ISDR system and its secretariat.

The current biennial workplan includes objectives and outcomes of a longer-term five-year strategic time span for the ISDR secretariat, while presenting outputs and budgetary requirements for the period 2006-2007 (with budgetary requirements for the period April 2006-December 2007).