About the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is a biennial multi-stakeholder forum established by the UN General Assembly to review progress, share knowledge and discuss the latest developments and trends in reducing disaster risk.

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is a critical component of the monitoring and implementation process of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030). The outcomes of the Global Platform inform the deliberations of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the UN 2019 Climate Summit from a disaster risk reduction perspective.  These efforts contribute towards the successful achievement of a risk-informed 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.

Over the past decade, the Global Platform has assumed the role of assessing and reviewing the progress in the implementation of the global disaster risk reduction agenda, and to serve as a platform for governments and stakeholders to share good practices, identify gaps and to make recommendations to further accelerate the implementation. In total, five sessions of the Global Platform have taken place since 2007. While each of the sessions focused on specific themes, the following topics have been recurrent in most of the sessions, in different forms and reiterations: 1) national and local implementation, 2) investments & economics of disaster risk reduction, and 3) linkages and coherence with climate change and sustainable development.

The fifth session of the Global Platform (GP2017), held in Cancun, Mexico, was the first to take place after the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, and it reaffirmed that full implementation of the Sendai Framework will reinforce the achievement of other international agendas. It also reconfirmed the Global Platform as a fundamental mechanism to foster practical coherence in implementation of disaster risk reduction with other international agendas, in particular the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change and the New Urban Agenda The outcomes of the Global Platform are also relevant for humanitarian assistance, as reducing disaster risk can also contribute to preventing and reducing humanitarian crises, and as the Agenda for Humanity calls for the anticipation of disaster and crises and for addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. The multi-stakeholder nature of the Global Platform has been acknowledged as a critical driver for fruitful deliberations, and for the effective implementation of the Sendai Framework.

The participation of representatives from a wide range of sectors of governments and stakeholder groups reflects the shift – enshrined in the Sendai Framework – from managing disasters to managing disaster risk. It is now acknowledged that reducing disaster risk is a shared responsibility which concerns everyone – from citizens to high-level political leaders, government institutions, private sector, civil society and scientific and technical institutions.

 

The 2019 Global Platform

Ms. Mami Mizutori
It has been another year of devastating events which have claimed many precious lives and destroyed entire communities. Disasters are a constant reminder to us that whatever progress we have been making in reducing disaster risk, it is still not enough.
The Global Platform is an opportunity for us to come together to renew and accelerate our efforts to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Achieving its targets for reducing disaster losses is a challenge and an opportunity to make the world a safer and more resilient place for future generations.
Make your voice heard, join us at the Global Platform. Ms. Mami Mizutori Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction

The sixth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2019) will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 to 17 May, 2019, convened and organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and hosted by the Government of Switzerland. The session will be co-chaired by Switzerland and UNDRR. It will represent the next important opportunity for the international community to boost the implementation of the Sendai Framework related goals of the 2030 Agenda, as well as commitments of the Paris Climate Agreement. It is also the last global gathering for all stakeholders before the deadline for achieving Target E of the Sendai Framework: to substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.

The sixth session of the Global Platform will build on the momentum created in Cancun, amplified by the integration of disaster risk elements in the implementation of the SDGs, so as to take the implementation of the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda to the next level. It will allow the first stock take of the progress made in implementation, according to data submitted by Member States. The sense of urgency in achieving Target E by 2020 will receive much attention at the next Platform. The programme will be designed in a way that will allow ample space for sharing of experiences, good practices and challenges in achieving this target. While countries are rallying to meet Target E, it is important to ensure that all seven targets and the four priorities are pursued in parallel if the goal and outcome of the Sendai Framework are to be achieved by 2030.

The Chair's summary of the fifth session identified areas of special focus that require particular attention and follow up by member states and stakeholders and will be taken into account in the preparation of the next session. These are: a) monitoring implementation of the Sendai Framework, b) Achieving Target E, c) coherence with the sustainable development and climate change agendas, d) gender-sensitive and inclusive disaster risk reduction, and e) international cooperation initiatives.

UNDRR is committed to scaling up efforts towards integrated gender perspective as well as gender parity throughout the preparations for the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. This will entail fostering women's participation in the Global Platform whilst ensuring an equal gender representation in the sessions. Efforts will also be made to ensure that gender perspective is mainstreamed throughout the Global Platform discussions to ensure a proper recognition of women’s role and contribution to disaster risk reduction governance, especially in the context of Governments’ efforts in developing inclusive national and local strategies for disaster risk reduction by 2020 in support of Target E.

 

Thematic focus

Resilience Dividend: Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Societies

The theme of GP2019 will focus on how managing disaster risk and risk-informed development investments pay dividends in multiple sectors and geographies, across all scales, and throughout social, economic, financial and environmental fields. The concept of ‘resilience dividend’ in this context is to be interpreted in a broader sense that goes beyond monetary profit. It contributes to reducing disaster risk, fosters development and triggers multiple social, environmental and economic benefits in the long term. The sessions will be designed in a way that key players - such as ministries of planning, economy and finance, national and international regulators, and legislators, as well as members of the business and investor communities and international financial institutions - will feature prominently as speakers and discussants, throughout the Platform, while at the same time respecting an inclusive approach and making sure that all stakeholders will have an active role to play.

Thematic Focus of Each Day

Each of the three official days will have a specific focus that contributes in a more concrete manner to the overall theme of the Global Platform.

Wednesday, 15 May

Day 1 will take stock on progress made since the last Global Platform and will contextualize progress made at local, national and regional levels. It is an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together, share experiences on good practices and to identify gaps and discuss challenges related to implementation of the Sendai Framework. Day 1 will also feature a high-level dialogue on global and regional progress, including outcomes from the regional platforms as well as a presentation and discussion on the state of global risk and future trends. Discussion will also focus on institutional strengthening, risk governance, accountability, access to data, including sex and age disaggregated data, and other aspects that are highly relevant for the achievement of the Target E.

Thursday, 16 May

The main focus of Day 2 will be on risk-informed public and private investments, including investments in infrastructure and innovative investment modalities. The High Level Dialogues will provide an opportunity to share inclusive and innovative approaches for risk-informed public and private investments.  These issues, as well as others relating to health and disaster displacement, will be addressed at the working sessions. Day 2 will also provide an opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the World Reconstruction Conference, which will be held during the preparatory days on 13 and 14 May.

Friday, 17 May

Day 3 will focus on action on climate and disaster risk, including integrated national policies, strategies and planning, innovative financial and social instruments for climate and disaster risk reduction, including gender considerations.  These themes are highly relevant for the Secretary-General’s Climate Summit that will take place in New York, in September, 2019, as well as for the achievement of the SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, which is one of the SDGs to be reviewed at the HLPF 2019. Day 3 will also provide an opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Conference, which will be held during the preparatory days on 13 and 14 May.

The conference programme will feature different types of sessions, acknowledging the need for both political and/or high-level dialogues and more technical discussions, workshops and networking. All sessions will be designed in a way that will encourage and maximize the time for dialogue and interaction.

Guiding principles

UNDRR has established the following guiding principles that will be followed in the preparation of the Global and Regional Platforms:

  • Coherence with other global agendas
  • Multi-stakeholder approach
  • Interactive and Innovative
  • Inclusion and Accessibility
  • Integrated gender perspective and balance
  • Green and Paper Smart

Expected outcomes

The platform is expected to have the following key outcomes:

  • The first stock take on progress made in implementing the Sendai Framework by Member States and stakeholders, and achievement of disaster risk-related targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • Understanding of the state of global risk, and launch of the Global Risk Assessment Framework (GRAF).
  • Recommendations and actionable suggestions for key policy makers in charge of sustainable development, finance & economic planning and disaster risk reduction.
  • Increased awareness on good practices in implementing the Sendai Framework, including innovative approaches, tools and methodologies.
  • A contribution to the discussions of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to be held in New York in July 2019, as well as the UN Climate Summit in September 2019.