1. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction – Third Session 8-13 May, 2011 CICG, Geneva

2. Context Last year has been a terrible year in terms of number of disasters, and a terrible year in terms of people killed and affected by disasters. Some 373 disasters killed over 296,800 people in 2010, affecting nearly 208 million others and costing nearly US$110 billion, according to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED).

3. Context More and more governments are realizing that disaster risk reduction is crucial for mitigating losses and being accountable to citizens. This is major political and economic issue that affects us all and requires more action. The latest floods in Australia cost AUS$13 billion. In Brazil, mudslides have triggered a number of debates -- What can we do better? Who pays for the losses? More governments start to understand that prevention measures pays dividends, that investing in DRR has multiplier effect.

4. Context DRR is gaining momentum internationally. Last year, the MDG Summit acknowledged that reducing disaster risk and increasing resilience to natural hazards can accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. This is a major achievement in recognizing disaster risk reduction as a development issue. The Global Platform is mandated by the UN General Assembly.

5. Context This year is a unique year where DRR will be on top of the political agenda at least in three main fora: – In New York, on 9 Feb 2011 for the first time, the president of the General Assembly will convene a debate with Members States on disaster risk reduction. The recommendations of Member States will be conveyed to the Global Platform. – In Rome on 9 March 2011, UNISDR will launch the Mid Term Review which reviews the progress made in the implementation of the HFA: a main framework on DRR adopted in 2005 by 168 countries and ending in 2010. – And the Global Platform from 8 to 13 May 2011 which is a unique forum convening not only specialists in disaster risk reduction but also NGOs, members of civil society and the private sector to advance the resilience of cities, communities and countries.

6. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2011 8 - 13 May 2011 at Centre International de Conférences in Geneva. Registration opened 15 January 2011. See http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/ Integrating World Reconstruction Conference (hosted by World Bank) Staging a large multi-stakeholder event focusing on engaging more partners (e.g. private sector, development actors and in particular local Governments and communities)

7. WHO WILL ATTEND? Expect at least 152 governments, over 130 organizations and at around 2,000 participants UN Secretary General will attend and open the meeting Head of States, mayors and CEOs from members of the private sector who are leading the DRR agenda – “people who are making a difference”.

8. WHO WILL ATTEND? SG’s office is inviting : President of Indonesia, Switzerland, South Africa, Senegal, Jordan, Finland, Bhutan, Chile, Maldives etc. Ministers would be invited from all the countries. From Private Sector - Chairman of IBM, CISCO, Barclays, Google etc. Popular figures are also invited such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Branson, Norman Foster and Wangari Maathai. SGs of Inter-governmental Organizations would as well be invited (ASEAN, SAARC, SOPAC, AU etc).

9. WHO WILL ATTEND? From Asia Pacific region President of Indonesia Prime Minister of Bhutan Foreign Minister of Australia Senator Loren Legarda, Philippines – Asia Pacific regional Champion on DRR City Campaign Champions Governor Salceda, Albay, Philippines Governor of Bangkok Governor of Hyogo Mayor of Camotes, Cebu Etc.

10. WHAT IS THE THEME? Invest today for a safer tomorrow -- increased investment in local action. All the evidence tells us If more investments have to be decided at the national level, more action is needed at local level.

11. WHAT ARE THE CONFERENCE TOPICS? Local Action Recovering and Reducing Risks after Disasters - World Reconstruction Conference (co-hosted by the World Bank) The Economics of Disaster Risk Reduction Strengthening Alliances for Climate Change Adaptation and Development

12. MAIN FEATURES OF THE GP The Global Platform will include the first World Reconstruction Conference hosted by the World Bank with help from the UNISDR to discuss how we can build back better and improve our approaches to recovery and reconstruction

13. MAIN FEATURES OF THE GP The 2010 GP will include opening and closing ceremonies, 2 main plenary sessions (on economics and climate change adaptation) a number of roundtables, informal plenary, side event and a market place.

14. KEY EVENTS FOR AP REGION Preparatory meeting of Chairs of Regional Platforms – 9 May Meeting of National Platforms – 9 May Meeting of sub-regions – 9 May IGO Summit – 10 or 11 May Informal Plenary – 11 and 12 May Closing – 13 May Side events – 10-13 May DRR Marketplace – 10-13 May

15. MAIN FEATURES OF THE GP The second edition of the Global Assessment Report (GAR2011) - which is the main report on current trends and progress made in DRR - will be also released at the Platform.

16. MAIN FEATURES OF THE GP There will be a Chair’s Summary at the end of the Third Session to set priorities and actions for the next couple of years in disaster risk reduction and recovery an reconstruction. The points will be taken back to countries and included in national policies.

17. MAIN FEATURES OF THE GP The GP is more than a talk shop, it is about coming together to address a major issue and set some directions and priorities. To find solutions to major concern and how to mitigate against the high cost and impact of disasters We need to find ways to invest in local action

18. WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE GP? To know more (public access to information around mapping and climate information and whether public buildings are compliant) To invest smarter (public investment in building back better; help the most vulnerable people through existing social protection schemes like pensions and microfinance; find way to invest at local level like decentralized budgets. We are not asking for more, just better targeted and smarter investments. There is also a big role for the private sector where most investments are engage around reconstruction, information, and insurance. Most investments are through the private sector.) To build safer (better standards; consideration of DRR, quality) particularly schools and hospitals)

19. KEY DATES ASAP – delegation formation and hotel bookings ASAP – coordination with other partners on side events, marketplace 10 February – identification of possible speakers and participants from new constituents 15 February – list of high level participants confirmed and suggestions of possible areas where they can speak 10 March – HFA mid-term review launch, Rome, Italy 15 March – Registration and request for financial assistance 15 March – draft alignment of regional and global platform outcomes 29 to 31 March – IAP meeting, Jakarta, Indonesia 30 March – 20 April – close of registration

20. MORE INFORMATION If interested you can view the 2009 GP related details at http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2009/ For details of the 2011 GP please visit: http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2011/?pid:50 In UNISDR Asia Pacific, please contact: Sujit Mohanty (mohanty@un.org)mohanty@un.org Nicholas Ramos (ramosn@un.org)ramosn@un.org Surachai Sri-saard (srisa-ard@un.org)srisa-ard@un.org