Microsoft Word - CD-01-Report to the Second Session of the GP.doc

Report to the Second Session of the Global
Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

Dr Carlos Foradori (Argentina)
Chair of the ISDR Support Group

Two years ago I assumed the chairmanship of the Support Group. It was an enormous
responsibility for me, particularly in replacing such a wonderful person, Marco Ferrari, who
represented a country with a historical record in terms of humanitarian issues, Switzerland.
The ISDR is still a baby and requires a lot of care-taking. I considered it my mission
to nourish this creature, with the help of all the member states of the Support Group and
with the invaluable cooperation of the Secretariat of the ISDR.

I think that the timing of the II Session of the Global Platform is exquisite. Right after the
launching of the Global Assessment Report which described in black and white the
threatening imbalances that sustain life on this planet. A report that gives us the notion that
the sky is choking us, the sea level is rising to inundate us, the stratospheric ozone is now
depleted and the forest has been destroyed. This is no longer a catastrophic description of a
science fiction movie, but a perverse objective that mankind seems to be determined to
accomplish. Certainly, it is not entirely like that, and that is why the ISDR exists, with an
initiative originated and undertaken by the collective conscience of human beings.

I am also saying that the timing of the II Session of the Global Platform is exquisite because
it takes place a few months before to the COP-15 when many countries will have another
opportunity to revise their positions towards a better understanding of the danger that is
placed ahead of us. For some this threat is far in the horizon, for every step forward, the risk
moves forward another step. However, it is not like that, the peril will be ever-nearer us as
long as we do nothing to reverse this process. We are responsible, not only for us, but
mainly for the generations to come.

Based upon this principle and philosophy, we worked hard during these past two years.
There were four major topics that the ISDR Support Group looked at repeatedly during this
time,

Taking stock of the recommendations emanating from the first Global Platform, and
active advisory function in preparing for the second session;

Periodic updates on progress reporting on the Hyogo Framework and the preparation
of the Global Assessment Report;

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Financing constraints and opportunities for disaster risk reduction in general,
tracking of investments and UNISDR secretariat’s financial situation;

How to better link climate change and disaster risk reduction and how to promote
this subject in the negotiations on climate change

The efforts of the UNISDR secretariat and the ISDR Support Group Members in the
Advisory Group are reflected in the remarkable number of delegates registered for this
second session of the Global Platform. A number, that speaks for itself. Disaster risk
Reduction content is also featuring much higher in the climate change community and
negotiations, partly due to our joint efforts.

Representing the ISDR Support Group, I attended ECOSOC side events and meetings with
delegates in NY to prepare for the General Assembly discussions on ISDR Resolutions in
2007 and 2008.

The first edition of the biennial Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction was
launched in the Kingdom of Bahrain just one month ago. The Report’s central message is
that disaster risk and poverty are strongly linked and are in turn intertwined with the reality
of global climate change. I will not go into details about the Report, but on behalf of all the
ISDR Support Group Members, I would like to congratulate UNISDR and its partners for
the successful launch and dissemination of the Report. We will also use the findings for
reflection on our discussions during the Global Platform and for the Mid-term review of the
Hyogo Framework, which will be our next major undertaking. We will have an additional
briefing on the process and content of the report during this meeting.

Along these two years, the ISDR, without a doubt, grew steadily and significantly, and our
meetings served many times as an engine designed to disseminate around the globe the
importance of the major values and principles of the Hyogo Framework of Action. Many
regions, many countries, and most importantly, many communities, large and small, adopted
the HFA as a central column to cement their policies. Every day, every month and every
year we are building up the global conscience about the importance of disaster risk
reduction. It is not necessary to mention every single event related to the ISDR but, a few
days ago, on 2 June, a Resolution (2372/XXXVIII) was adopted by the General Assembly of
the Organization of American States, reinforcing the activities of the White Helmets
Initiative and with the specific mandate to the Permanent Council of the Organization to
strengthen the regional mechanism related to Disaster Risk Reduction and adapt all to the
Hyogo Framework of Action. Various members of the Support Group made it possible. This
is an example that demonstrates the projection of the ISDR Support Group policies, which
may have been designed in Geneva, but the impact of its decisions affected the whole world.

Climate change has been one of the key topics globally analyzed over the last year. The
ISDR Support Group has contributed with relevant elements to increase the synergy
between reducing disaster risk and adapting to a changing climate, and brought this to the
attention of our own colleagues in the climate change arena. This is not an easy task and we
need to strengthen our efforts in this regard.

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10.

During and around the General Assembly 2007, leading up to COP-14 in Poznan, climate
change and disaster risk reduction was discussed several times. This topic is becoming even
more important for the 64th session of the General Assembly in 2009. It seems that the
Secretary-General is convening a high-level meeting on climate change and disaster risk
reduction. This reflects the Secretary-General’s engagement in the topic. We, as the ISDR
Support Group, can play an important role to engage our climate change colleagues to take
this subject clearly into account in the new climate change agreement which hopefully will
be agreed upon in Copenhagen at COP-15.

11.

As UNISDR reported during our meetings, the UN family has also increased its
commitment to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for action and disaster
risk reduction as part of the core activities of the UN. The appointment of a new Assistant
Secretary-General on Disaster Risk Reduction and Special Representative for the
Implementation of the Hyogo Framework, Margareta Wahlström, was also an achievement
that the ISDR Support Group did a great deal to support happening. We are proud of this
achievement.

12.

In conclusion: The current climate change scenario and negotiation is bringing an
unprecedented opportunity for the ISDR Support Group, UNISDR and ISDR system of
partnerships to advance in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action as a
powerful tool for adaptation. The ISDR Support Group has aimed to increase advocacy and
understanding of the linkage while supporting the Secretariat’s endeavor to provide
guidance tools and to strengthen the ISDR system capacities. This is an area we should
pursue strongly.

13.

However, financing for disaster risk reduction within our own budgetary instruments as well
as UNISDR’s total dependency on voluntary contributions, remains challenging. At the
international level, it is essential to make resources available for disaster risk reduction. We
discussed the possibility of integrating disaster risk reduction into funding mechanisms for
humanitarian or development assistance, energy, environment and climate change.

14.

In fact, several specific initiatives by some of the Members were examined such as an
allocation of a specific percentage of humanitarian funding for disaster reduction. The
adaptation funds already in place or in discussion are other sources where we should
actively focus on risk reduction as windows of financing. This remains another key-
challenge the ISDR Support Group might be actively looking into.

15.

At the end of this II Session, Jakob Hallgren from Sweden will take over as the new Chair of
the Support Group. I have no doubt that he will do a terrific job. I wish you all of the best. I
would like to thank all of the Member States, for your support, your tolerance and your
understanding, and ask you to please forgive any errors on my part. I would like to express
my special recognition to the people of the Secretariat who were also very supportive and
cooperative with me along these years, the Secretariat of the ISDR has some really brilliant
staff.

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16.

It is true that there are many projects to finalize, many issues to resolve and many matters to
conclude, but these past two years should be seen by the generations to come as the
beginning of a long process in its very embryonic stage whilst we were learning, and
moving forward while perhaps still committing some mistakes.

17.

I am really convinced that our task should be aimed at creating the conditions for Poverty
Risk Reduction, through Disaster Risk Reduction, in view of the fact that disaster affects the
Poor more dramatically hence producing more and more poverty in this world. This should
be, in my personal view, the first predicate of the Global Session. We should be conscious
that what we do or do not do here, inevitably affects other parts of the globe. No man or
woman is an island. We should also be conscious that what we do or do not do now, will
inevitably affect the generations to come. Unless we really do not care about others or about
our own children, we should do as much as we can, right here and right now.

Thank you.

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