1. Special Session II Increasing Investment for Disaster Risk Reduction

2. Background The Chairs Summary of the second session of the Global Platform recognized a drastic mismatch between the resources required to address disaster risk in developing countries and those actually available. “A massive scaling up of action is needed”. It also noted that “many countries must dedicate substantially more funds from national budgets – or increasingly suffer the consequences”. This is also a must for the international community. Calls also were made for at least 1% of all national development funding and all development assistance funding to be allocated to risk reduction measures There is evidence that progress is being made yet much more needs to be done in terms of addressing disaster in the context of development at all levels – including national policy, local development plans, private sector investments, and individual and household decision-making.

3. Objective Discuss experiences and mechanisms in – securing dedicated budgets for disaster risk reduction at all levels of Government and – establishing effective incentives to encourage greater investment by the national governments, private sector and individuals and households. Identify key challenges related to risk reduction financing through national planning instruments. Explore how to track and monitor progress of investment, and discuss experiences with differing approaches. In addition to national budgets and multi-national business investments, the session would also consider the role of local governments, in guiding collective decision-making through good governance on setting appropriate regulatory requirements, providing incentives through tax and service fee policies, etc.

4. Specific issues : Specific issues that would be discussed in the Panel would include: – key trigger factors – economic, social, political – for different actors within countries to decide to invest more in risk management? – How can private sector’s interest be raised in investing in disaster risk reduction to protect their businesses, ensure continuity of services, or access new markets? – Identify suggestions for incentivizing increased investment in DRR by public and private sector. – Training, capacity building, policy development required to achieve this. – What policies need to be developed to ensure that DRR is fully integrated into all development programs? – How can DRR investments be leveraged in the context of humanitarian action and early response/ recovery? How can agencies involved in reconstruction be encouraged to address DRR in their programs?

5. Participants The panelist would include: – At least 2-3 senior representatives from Ministries of Finance from Asian countries; – At least 2 -3 senior representatives from large multinational corporations investing in the Asian region; – At least two senior representatives from Planning Ministry; – WHO ELSE ?

6. Expected Outcome The identification of key actions required for the period 2011 - 2015 by ISDR partners, and particularly countries, the private sector and the international community, in respect of: – Determining lessons learned and good practices within countries and business sectors that have successfully established budgetary allocations or have made sound business cases for including DRR into their ongoing development and business operations. – Advocacy and guidance for governments and private sector seeking wider integration of risk reduction and climate change adaptation in national development or business planning. – Determining critical data sets and indicators required by governments and private business to support and monitor investment and financing for risk reduction.

7. Special Session III Urban risk reduction : Making cities resilient

8. Background The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), together with its partners, has launched its ISDR World Disaster Reduction Campaign for 2010-2011 – Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready. Natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, volcanoes and droughts, as well as the impacts of climate change on health and livelihoods, continue to affect cities and communities throughout the world. Investing in disaster risk reduction measures will help reduce urban risks. The ISDR two-year campaign urges city leaders and local governments to take actions on DRR and commit to the Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient.

9. Objective This session is organized to share the current status of the ISDR Global Campaign, and to invite ‘two’ Mayors to present their progress and challenges on DRR implementations. The panel discussion will focus on building cities resilient against climate related disasters and will identify innovative measures to address climate related disasters, by inviting panelists from local governments, an international city association, a regional development bank, and an academic institution. Within the session, newly signed up cities in Asia to join the campaign will be introduced.

10. Participants RTF-URR UNISDR Selected Mayors from cities – Chennai, Makati, etc CITYNET ADB WWF Kyoto University Senior representatives from selected ministries of Urban Development

11. Expected Outcome Announcement of several Asian cities which have singed up for the campaign Innovative solutions and progress on disaster risk reduction activities against climate related disasters by city governments are presented. Initiatives by the international community (a regional development back, an international city association, and an academic institute) to support local government to build resilience against climate related disasters are introduced. Lessons and challenges faced by local government to take DRR actions are identified and discussed, which leads to discussions how support from international community should be scaled up.