Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Planning: situation in UN HQ, NY No policy document mandating vital records protection No resources have ever been allocated to this function Stark contrast to many Member States

Key players: functions and roles

Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan Recommendations— March 2002; plan completed 2003 Risk assessment Mitigation strategies Response Preparation Tasks Elements of a Disaster Response and Preparedness Plan

Vital Records Vital records programme for ARMS- development November 2002 Protection of vital records Expansion of vital records programme ARMS to “steer not row” Resource requirements

Appraisal decision assistance: December 2002 comprehensive appraisal standards and retention schedules for records and archives NY-based UN agencies eliminate redundant and no longer useful information; preserve information with continuing value. disposition rules and schedules for all classes of records resulting from agency business processes automated tool for their application by agencies

General observations Minor events most common Expected increase in off-site storage expected as HQ is a security risk UN is a knowledge-based organization: must protect its assets through a vital records programme