Implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action in Asia Sálvano Briceño Director, International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) Regional Conference on Hazards of Nature, Risks and Opportunities for Development in South Asia New Delhi, 20 December

Global Trends - Disasters are NOT natural Natural and human-induced hazards Climate change and variables (global warming, “global dimming”…) Socio-economic: poverty, unplanned urban growth, lack of awareness and institutional capacities... unplanned urban growth, lack of awareness and institutional capacities... Physical: insufficient land use planning, housing, infrastructures located in hazard prone areas or poorly built... Environmental degradation ecosystem degradation; coastal, watershed, marshlands…), etc. ecosystem degradation; coastal, watershed, marshlands…), etc. HAZARDS + EXTREME EVENTS VULNERABILITY Natural hazardVulnerability X = Disaster Risk

WCDR outcome- Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 3 Strategic goals 5 Priorities for action Implementation and follow-up Integrate disaster risk reduction into policies, plans and programmes of sustainable development and poverty reduction Recognize risk reduction as both a humanitarian and development issue – in the context of sustainable development Focus on national and local implementation, with bilateral, multilateral, regional and international cooperation Targets and indicators to be developed according to needs…, needs to be done rapidly…

HFA - 5 Priority Areas  Disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation  Identify, assess and monitor risk and enhance early warning systems  Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels  Reduce underlying risk factors in all sectors (environment, land-use planning, health, recovery, building codes, livelihoods, financial services … )  Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels

Overview and challenges Twenty Two months after the second World Conference of Disaster Reduction and adoption of the Hyogo Framework... Vulnerability increases more rapidly than expected, disasters also… Governments are taking concrete action, possibly not enough… Greater focus is needed on more explicit, systematic approaches to support implementation of HFA (guidelines, methodologies, indicators, standards …) ISDR System is being strengthened…

The objective: To reduce disaster risk, worldwide, focusing on nations and communities The instrument: Hyogo Framework for Action The vehicle: ISDR system - ‘movement ’ Building a disaster risk reduction movement – broadening the ISDR system

Main elements of the strengthened ISDR System in support of the Hyogo Framework for Action Nations and communities Global coordination Supporting mechanisms National Platforms, Government agencies, local authorities, NGOs, CBOs, technical organisations, private sector, media… Global Platform for DRR and subsidiary bodies (PAC…) USG Humanitarian Affairs Management Oversight Board ISDR secretariat ISDR regional and thematic platforms International and regional org. WB Country offices, UN Country Teams, Red Cross/ Red Crescent societies UN General Assembly, ECOSOC Support and technical advice to agencies, authorities, institutions and organizations Management, oversight, programme guidance, support, joint work programme, monitoring Governance Responsible for national strategies and programmes, baseline studies, reporting…

ISDR system levels of action (Platforms) National implementation National platforms, multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral and multi disciplinary, support from WB and UN country team – when appropriate Thematic Building on existing networks, clusters, programmes and other mechanisms Regional Based on existing regional and sub-regional mechanisms ISDR programme coordinated international and regional efforts to support national and local capacities Global Annual sessions Subsidiary body: Programme Advisory Committee

Progress in implementing HFA at regional level (paragraph 31, HFA) Regional and sub-regional coordination is being strengthened through cooperation among UN, non-UN and regional organizations Inter-governmental strategies adopted (SAARC Disaster Policy Dialogue, ASEAN, ECO, …) Regional collaborative centres: SAARC Center for Disaster Management, initiatives of China (drought), Iran (seismic risk)… ISDR Asia Partnership (ESCAP, ADPC, ADRC, UNDP, OCHA and others joining gradually) In Indian Ocean, tsunami early warning and recovery stimulated a wider risk reduction agenda (Asia and Africa)

RegionInitiativeStatus Asia - Beijing Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia - Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction 2006 in Seoul (preparatory to Ministerial Conference) -Sub-regional Central Asian Consultative Meeting -Sub-regional consultations planned in ECO, ASEAN and SAARC regions - Adopted at the 1st Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction, Beijing, Sep 2005; India to host the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference in Nov Next Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction to be held in Kazakhstan in June Kyrgyzstan, June In discussion with sub-regional secretariats

Follow-up by ISDR ISDR will support the implementation of recommendations of this workshop : technical project formulation including risk assessment with WB and national authorities under the GFDRR Develop national risk mitigation strategies based on lessons learnt from reconstruction experiences in South Asian region Disseminate the proceedings and publication of this workshop at forthcoming Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva, 5-7 June 2007 Promote regional co-operation amongst South Asian members

Way Forward…… Intimate connections between poverty, environment, climate and disasters require integrated approaches to reduce risk Capacity needs for future climate risks are mostly similar to those for today’s risks Urgent need to integrate risk management into development sectors: health, education, environment, science, culture... Build alliances for action utilizing ISDR mechanisms: governments with media, NGOs, academic institutions, private sector...

" More effective prevention strategies would save not only tens of billions of dollars, but save tens of thousands of lives. Funds currently spent on intervention and relief could be devoted to enhancing equitable and sustainable development instead, which would further reduce the risk for war and disaster. Building a culture of prevention is not easy. While the costs of prevention have to be paid in the present, its benefits lie in a distant future. Moreover, the benefits are not tangible; they are the disasters that did NOT happen. " Kofi Annan, “Facing the Humanitarian Challenge: Towards a Culture of Prevention”, UNGA, A/54/1