Microsoft Word - Incheon Declaration final.doc

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“T

NCHEON

ECLARATION

”

Summary from 11-13 August 2009 Conference, Incheon

(after comments and approval in plenary)

Opened by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon,

Sang-Soo, the Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, and

Margareta Wahlström, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for

Disaster Risk Reduction

Co-chaired by Helena Molin Valdés, UNISDR, and

Peter Woods, Secretary General, United Cities for Local Governments- Asia and

Pacific

The Conference participants have come to an agreement to actively move the
disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation agenda forward through
an Alliance of Local Governments for Disaster Risk Reduction, with 200
participants from national to local government levels, local authorities,
associations and networks, professional and technical organizations,
academia, the private sector and civil society, and the UN present.

Conference participants thank Incheon Metropolitan City and the United
Nations secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR) for hosting this meeting and for their leadership in building this
Alliance.

The group of Ministers and Members of Parliament participating in the
Conference met in support of this cause, and committed to continue
championing the subject for the benefit of humankind, to work together across
political boundaries and to make sure that the recommendations and learning
reach the population at risk.

We agreed to target ‘local governments’ and use this as the encompassing
term for urban and rural communities of different size and level (regional,
provincial, metropolitan, cities, municipalities, townships and villages), in the
global awareness campaign lead by ISDR and partners and in the Alliance.
We also agreed to focus especially on reaching the poor and high risk
communities with our efforts to reduce risk and build resilient communities,
and to engage with grass-roots organizations and people, to motivate and
involve them directly. The campaign will primarily target mayors, other local
leaders and technical staff involved in urban development, as well as national
authorities responsible for local development and/or disaster risk reduction.

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The challenges we have identified:

In the Plenary Sessions, the four Thematic Sessions and in particular, the
discussions, the following key challenges and issues have been identified:

Political opportunity

In his opening remarks, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, asked
how local governments could actively contribute to address climate
change and reduce the increasing risk of disasters. He called for the need
of world leaders in this area to include mayors, townships and community
leaders to address climate change and disaster risk reduction. This
commitment presents an opportunity to scale-up the political
empowerment and voice of local governments on the international scene,
which is often still weak or even absent.

Urban risk on the increase

More than 50% of the global population now lives in urban areas with an
increasing population exposed to failing infrastructure, sanitation
deficiencies, and lack of basic services, among many other risk factors.
The 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction lists
unplanned urbanization and poor urban governance as two main
underlying factors accelerating disaster risk. Other important risk drivers
are vulnerable rural livelihoods and ecosystem decline.
Risk is increasing in urban agglomerations of different size due to
unplanned urbanization and accelerated migration from rural areas or
smaller cities. The low institutional capacity of local authorities to provide
land and services to the poor leads to urban growth of informal settlements
in hazard prone areas (900 millions in informal settlements- increasing by
25 million per year). Urban hazards (e.g. flooding) are exacerbated by the
lack of investment in infrastructure as well as of poor environmental
management. With respect to flooding, the lack of appropriate storm
drainage systems is a major cause for urban floods.

Disaster risk reduction in rural communities

The risks are not only to be found in urban areas. The challenge faced by
rural impoverished communities and their local governments in small
villages and townships, especially those with large day-to-day dependency
on crops, livestocks and natural resources, during and after disasters are
multi- dimensional. While local communities have developed indigenous
knowledge for disaster risk reduction to minimize risk, the adoption of new
technologies, tools and sharing of good practices by local governments
can go a long way to reduce risk in those communities and enhance
adaptation to climate change.

The exploration of alternatives to ever-increasing metropolises and

increased urban risk

Faced with the unsustainable migration of rural population to urban areas -
usually of the poorest ones and often triggered by localized disasters -
totally lacking in efficient and sustainable infrastructure, there is a need to

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encourage regional economic development in rural areas and smaller
cities. This would provide opportunities for planned urban areas of
sustainable proportions that would obviate the need for mass migration to
achieve family economic opportunities. Governments should not just
recognize that huge numbers of people are moving to unsustainable cities
but may need to actively intervene with effective planning and economic
investment to provide an alternative.

Advocacy for local level disaster risk reduction and the

empowerment of local governments
We need to more actively mobilize political support for the engagement of
a wider group of stakeholders, not only the local governments, but national
governments, civil society and the private sector. We recognize that local
governments can actively contribute to solving global issues.

Local governance for risk reduction

It is the local government that is the first responder, and the one
responsible for community development and sustainable disaster risk
reduction. The empowerment of local governments must be a key priority
in order to encourage democratic decision-making that involves the
citizens and all key stakeholders at the local level. The proper confirmative
authority of the local government, human capacity and allocation of
appropriate resources needs to be ensured.

Risk reduction at the local level depends on good local governance,
particularly in the political decision-making and formulation of policy and
enforcement relating to land use planning, regulatory controls, zoning, and
construction standards. Risk reduction calls for flexibility in the decision
making process and the empowerment of communities, which in turn
pushes transparency and good governance.

The value and usefulness of an Alliance of Local Governments for
Disaster Risk Reduction can assist in the facilitation of good governance
and create the space for stakeholders to work together.

Every disaster brings to bear questioning of accountability of local and
regional authorities, and whether they are over-ruled by national
authorities.

Each local or provincial government should have an explicit policy and
action plan for disaster risk reduction, and dedicated personnel and budget
assigned.

Move from a ‘disaster response’ mode to a ‘risk reduction’ mode

The age old challenge that still exists with many local governments, is to
change the mind set from disaster response to disaster reduction and
preparedness. “Mind set” means the understanding, the awareness and
current way of understanding and doing things. The challenge is to bring
the issues of disaster risk to a new level of significance for local
governments. We need to clearly describe what the local authorities need
to achieve: to localize the Hyogo Framework for Action.

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Disaster risk reduction is an investment - not a cost

We face an ongoing challenge to justify the need for resources to invest in
reducing risk and how to effectively utilize national resources by whichever
sphere of government is in the best position to utilize such resources.
A World Bank led mile-stone study on the Economics of Disasters will be
launched mid-November 2009. It will include important evidence to build
the case for savings and benefits - and the costs of not addressing
disaster risk.

The methodology may well be used for the local government to provide its
own analysis of costs and benefits to negotiate with national governments.

It is important to reflect on how information and data is gathered for global
reports like this. Does it represent the reality on the ground? We
recommend as a principle that participatory approaches are used for data
gathering for all studies to truly reflect the realities, and to build ownership
at the local level.

Planning for disaster risk reduction

The need for a more widespread development of municipal risk
assessments and maps as well as of local vulnerability and capacity
assessments exists. These studies should serve as the basis for local and
urban development plans and programmes and the development of
municipal disaster risk management plans. Many good lessons are
available, these need to be shared. We call for such practices to be shared
by different means and ways such as web resources to be broadly
available.

Partnerships

The key partners in any effective democratic decision-making are the
citizens - the people-, the interest groups and the organizations and
structures that can assist in this process, often including specific cultural
organizations and their leaders, e.g. religious, grass-root organizations,
NGOs and traditional leaders.

The challenge is to find ways to work with local businesses and
companies, to ensure there is an opportunity to involve the private sector
when policy is being developed by local governments, in projects aimed at
reducing risks, and creating strong sustainable public private partnerships
in the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility. In doing so, decisions
relating to these must be made transparently and with sound technical and
sustainable understanding of the consequences of such decisions, to not
create new risks. For example, telecommunications services provision
could be an opportunity to develop partnerships with emergency response
and disaster reduction and preparedness. To be effective, they must be
developed ahead of time

The World Economic Forum developed guidelines and principles for private sector involvement in

humanitarian situations, which should be abided to.

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Climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction

Given the ‘front-line’ status of local governments, there is an urgent need
to inform communities and local governments about local level climate
change implications and practical guidance for adaptation, as well as of
climate change mitigation opportunities. Local climate change adaptation
and mitigation efforts can be the most powerful method of minimizing
potential disaster losses due to local climate variability and extreme events
that have immediate implications.

What is the capacity of local government to deal with this responsibly?
Local governments are considered as one of the pillars in the proposal for
a new agreement within the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change. To fulfill this role, they need strong collaborations and
partnerships to enhance the linkage with national policies and initiatives.
Local governments and actors can provide basic data, currently
unavailable, and feedback from a local perspective on how disaster risk
reduction, adaptation and climate change mitigation actions are being
integrated in the local sustainable development processes. We see as an
opportunity the outcomes of the 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in Incheon, Republic of Korea in 2010,
will carry the theme of “Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk
Reduction”.

Local governments can provide the necessary political leadership assist to
reverse climate change and reduce climate risk. A collective of local
government organizations and individuals can achieve this together, in the
Campaign and Alliance. We need to create nationally political space, and
to use ISDR as an advocacy vehicle. Role models and good examples
should be collected and disseminated in the Campaign and by the
Alliance.

Tools for disaster risk reduction

A vast number of tools, guidelines, templates and other useful resources
already exists and only needs to be adapted or updated for specific use
by local government authorities and local communities. The challenge is
to locate, collect and create access points for a range of tools and
resources for disaster risk reduction. Research, monitoring and evaluation
should be considered in all project and programme development.

Capacity development for local authorities

This is certainly one of the most pressing issues, as capacity development
can have a significant impact on minimizing losses from disaster events,
climate change and variability and on strengthening decentralization of
resources. There are many existing international, regional, national and
local centers, training institutions and academia to build on. Capacity
development is recognized as a vital ingredient for decentralized disaster
risk reduction and sustainable local development and for empowering local
government units and communities. As such, capacity development is a
necessary component in building the Local Government Alliance for
Disaster Risk Reduction in carrying out the World Campaign.

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Improved information and communications technology (ICT) is a

necessity

Capacities of stakeholders to use ICT for disaster risk reduction need to
be strengthened. ICT can empower people, communities and
organizations to become more self-sufficient in dealing with and managing
disaster situations and their aftermath. The use of ICT can increase the
efficiency of managing the disaster reduction processes and, as a result,
enhance the delivery of services to people at local and community levels
and beyond. ICTs facilitate and enhance coordination, collaboration at all
stages of the process dealing with disaster risk reduction, such as
planning, early warning and increased communication among
stakeholders.

Where appropriate, access to resources should be designated to increase

ICT capacities at the local level, to build on existing conditions, and
opportunities to partner with private sector operators should be explored.

Way forward

Arising from this meeting, the following concrete objectives have been
identified as priorities to take into account for the ISDR system 2010-2011
World Disaster Reduction Campaign for local governments on urban risk
reduction and the supporting Alliance of Local Governments:

Communicating clearly for disaster risk reduction

We collectively agree to recognize and to actively promote the use of
straightforward, common sense language in all aspects of disaster risk
reduction. Effective communications is critical to delivering a clear and
readily understandable set of messages about the use, value and
importance of disaster risk reduction to communities and local
governments in all areas.

Political engagement

The Alliance, as part of the World Campaign, will establish a compact
between national and local governments, particularly those who can
demonstrate strong partnering and interaction towards the common goals
of disaster risk reduction including the utilization of resources.

Champions

We will seek to identify at least 25 “Champions” from local governments,
and from national governments for local and urban development, with
demonstrated leadership in this area (see criteria). These Champions will
be invited to commit time to help raising awareness and advocating local
governments needs at the highest levels and promote broad partnerships,
through a bottom-up approach. A target for the Campaign will be to
improve the commitment of the UN to work with local government in risk
reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes.

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Promoting capacity development for local governments at all levels

We shall, as an Alliance, develop a long-term mission and work plan,
towards 2015 and beyond, to actively promote capacity development and
training programmes at the international, regional, national and local level,
with the aim of enhancing human resource development, necessary to
empower the role of local governments and actors in disaster risk
reduction.

As part of the immediate ISDR campaign strategy the following capacity
development actions should be considered, to be carried out by existing
training facilities, champions and partners in each region:

Inventory of resources and opportunities available worldwide at all

levels;

Support to localize and indigenize of training programmes to reach

communities and local governments in all areas;

A plan to initiate a “Training of Trainers” programme, utilizing the

new Incheon ISDR Training facility and existing institutes and
organizations with already developed training and capacity
development, to develop disaster risk management awareness and
capacity, targeting local governments and legislators. It will build on
specific partnerships and available resources in each region;

Partnerships for curricula development (technical, policy and

legislative contents) through and with the support of UNISDR
Regional Offices;

Support of disaster risk reduction mainstreaming within the already

existing capacity development programmes;

Besides training, promotion of capacity development through

experience sharing, south-south exchange and knowledge transfer;
networking and partnership building; and joint project development
and implementation.

The Alliance will promote decentralization and mobilization of resources
especially from national to local levels to facilitate equal access to existing
opportunities as well as the development of local opportunities responding
to specific local needs.

Localizing the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), and mid-term

review:
After the first five years of implementing the Hyogo Framework, much has
been learned and achieved, however, it has been affirmed that the
process needs to reach out further to local governments and local
communities. The mid-term Review 2009-2010 will offer a number of
opportunities and challenges for local governments and particularly local-
level high risk communities. These ‘front-line’ organizations will be called
upon to help to upscale the implementation of the HFA and to lead and
mobilize communities to adopt and use this disaster risk reduction tool.

Local Governments and Alliance networks around the world will be called
upon to spread the message of the HFA, to collect success stories and to

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share country-specific experiences. Achieving the goals and objectives of
the HFA by 2015 will not be possible without the support and collaboration
of local government authorities.

The HFA midterm review is also a significant opportunity to contribute to
the new urban risk reduction initiative and World Campaign 2010-2011,
which will also stimulate local action for the implementation of the HFA.
This shall be accompanied by a comprehensive advocacy campaign to
build awareness of both the HFA and disaster risk reduction.

Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and

mitigation– what does this mean for local governments?
This is a pressing issue for everyone. Local governments must become
the drivers of adaptation and mitigation strategies that will result in greatly
reduced disaster risk and loss potential. The campaign will focus on
sharing practical measures on effective climate change adaptation and the
links to disaster risk reduction.

Select showcase local governments as role models for resilient cities

We propose to start with a minimum of 25 cases as role models and
commit to communicate examples to UNISDR. This is proposed as the
starting point. We will aim at having thousands of local governments
involved by the end of the campaign, with increasing numbers towards
2015 and beyond.
What does this mean for each of those local governments? Initiatives to
recognize good achievements and examples of successful local risk
reduction examples have to be set up - UNISDR will develop a matrix and
share it with the Alliance for nominations and follow-up.

UNISDR will coordinate the global campaign strategy, and especially

focus on:

(a) Facilitating the political space between local governments, national

governments and the UN for disaster risk reduction,

(b) Providing for a coordinated public awareness and media campaign,

which will build on local, national and international partners outreach
capacities (engage with professional marketing and media experts),
and

existing tools and good practices

, and promoting capacity

development, learning and sharing of experience between champion
local governments and with the partners in each region.

We have 40 examples of local government in disaster risk reduction good practices already; 15 will be

published in 2009.

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Commitment:

The Alliance of participants at this Conference will serve as primary
consultative group for the global campaign. Specific responsibilities of
institutions and networks will be set out in the campaign strategy, based on
their specific commitment to take responsibility for aspects of the campaign.
UNISDR will call upon the participants in this meeting as the advisors to the
campaign and launch a call for “champions” and role model cities and other
local governments with good practices- to demonstrate the attributes of a
disaster resilient city and local government.

The concentrated global awareness campaign on urban risk reduction (see
possible slogans proposed in annex) takes place during 2010-2011 and will
build on previous ISDR campaigns for safer schools and safer hospitals. After
this, the campaign will continue with the Alliance, national and local
government organizations and partners to promote disaster resilient local
governments at all levels with targets for 2015, and beyond.

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Criteria for selection of Champions:

1.- High profile leader with possibility to mobilize others and influence policy or
action (national, local, community)

2.- Belong to a local government (city, municipality, township, village) with
some good practice to share in disaster risk reduction, or under development
(see the 10 Basic Attributes of a Disaster Resilient City and Local
Government).

3.- Be willing to set aside time to participate in international, regional and/or
national dialogues and events

4.- Be able to convey messages to reach the people: compose songs,
slogans and/or articles

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Events in the pipeline (to be further developed)

2009

7-11 September 2009: Congress of CITYNET, Yokohama

14 Oct 2009:

International Day for Disaster Reduction: Safer Hospitals

19-21 October 2009. UCLG-AP Executive Bureau and Training Session, Changwon,

Korea

15 November 2009:

Launch of the Study on Economics of Disasters, Washington
D.C., USA

9-14 November 2009: UCLG World Council, Guangzhou

2010

17 January 2010:

Year Commemoration of the Great Hanshin-Awaji

Earthquake, Kobe-Hyogo and other DRR events

(Launch the Campaign)

April 2010:

World Health Day WHO: Healthy Cities

28-30 May 2010:

ICLEI World Congress of Cities on Climate Change, Bonn

May- October 2010: World Expo: Better Cities, Better Life, Shanghai, China

May-June 2010:

Launch of IFRC World Disasters Report

September 2010:

UCLG World Congress, Mexico

13 October 2010:

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

19-22 October 2010: UCLG Asia Pacific Congress, Hamamatsu, Japan

25-28 October 2010: 4

AMCDRR, Incheon, Republic of Korea

2011

May:

Launch of Second Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk
Reduction

June:

Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

12 October 2011:

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction