Pacific Platform 2009

Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management 2009

Tanoa International Hotel

Nadi, Fiji

7th – 15th May 2009

The Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) in association with the Pacific Sub Regional Office of the Secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) wishes to announce the meetings of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management 2009. The Platform meetings are comprised of:

• 15th Regional Disaster Managers Meeting (Closed Meeting for Regional Disaster Managers & SOPAC), 7th – 8th May 2009
• 4th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network, 12th – 13th May 2009
• 2nd Pacific Regional Disaster Risk Management Meeting for Pacific CEOs of Finance/Planning and Disaster Management, 14th – 15th May 2009

15th Regional Disaster Managers Meeting

The 15th Regional Disaster Managers Meeting will be a closed meeting between SOPAC and Regional Disaster Managers from 7th – 8th May.

The meeting is being convened to allow discussion and consultation between the heads of the National Disaster Management Offices with the SOPAC Community Risk Programme on key disaster risk management issues in the Pacific. In view of adoption by Pacific Leaders in 2005 of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005 – 2015: Building the Resilience of National and Communities to Disasters the meeting offers an opportunity to discuss practical solutions and tools to support the mainstreaming of disaster risk management within Pacific countries.

The theme of this years meeting is Strengthening NDMO Capacity for Improved Disaster Risk Management.

The specific objectives of the meeting are:

1. Review progress since the 14th Regional Disaster Managers Meeting
2. Understanding of the focus of the CRP Work Programme for 2009
3. Identify key national DRM issues for consideration by Regional Met Service Directors, regional and international partner organisations and Pacific CEOs for DisasterManagement and Finance/Planning
4. Increase understanding of the NAP guidelines and the specific roles and responsibilities of the NDMOs in leading the NAP exercises.
5. Develop a hands-on understanding of the on-line reporting system for the Regional Framework for Action.
6. Develop a hands-on understanding of the Pacific Disaster Net and how to harness its capabilities to enhance capacities within NDMOs
7. Increase understanding of and commitment to training and capacity building initiatives for 2009 and beyond
8. Update of the role and functions of the Pacific Platform for DRM and discuss the Global Platform for DRR.

The meeting will involve a range of presentations and will also include group discussions amongst participants.

Please click here to download the agenda.

Please click here to download the summary report.

4th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network

The 4th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Partnership Network will be held from 12th – 13th May. The Partnership Network was established in February 2006 in response to a call by Pacific Leaders for those regional and international organisations that had a stake in disaster risk management capacity building in the Pacific to work co-operatively and collaboratively in the interests of reducing the risks faced by Pacific countries to disasters. The Partnership Network is coordinated by SOPAC.

The theme of the meeting is Strengthening Collaboration and Cooperation.

The objectives of the meeting are:

1. Review the status of current and planned Partnership activities in the Pacific.
2. Establish South-South Cooperation with the Caribbean community
3. Examine opportunities for improved strategic alliances and engagement at regional and national level within the Pacific
4. Prepare for the Pacific region’s contribution to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The meeting will comprise of presentations by representatives of the Joint Meeting of Regional Meteorological Service Directors and Regional Disaster Managers, by selected
member Partners as well as a by a delegation of Caribbean regional organisations. In addition there will be opportunity for Partner exchange and learning to address improved
collaboration and cooperation in the provision of DRM capacity building support to Pacific countries.

Please click here to download the agenda.

Please click here to download the summary report.

2nd Pacific Regional Disaster Risk Management Meeting for Pacific CEOs of Finance/Planning and Disaster Management

Typically, the effort to address disaster risk management has been spearheaded at national level within Pacific countries by the National Disaster Management Offices. In light however of the need to ensure an improved effort to address disaster risk reduction, SOPAC working with other partner organisations have advocated quite extensively for the involvement of the upper echelon within the various Public Service jurisdictions in the Pacific in terms of ensuring that risk considerations are given a greater prominence in planning and budgeting systems within Government and at each level within the national economy. In this regard this meeting has been organised to again bring together the Chief Executives/Permanent Secretaries of those Ministries responsible for Disaster Management, with Chief Executives / Permanent Secretaries responsible for Finance and Planning.

The meeting will be hosted by SOPAC.

The theme of the meeting is: “Disaster Risk Management for Sustainable Development in Pacific Island Countries - The Need for Leadership by Central Agencies”.

The purpose of the meeting is to enhance the involvement and participation of key chief executives in Pacific governments in disaster risk management and climate change
adaptation, as a cornerstone requirement and imperative for supporting sustainable national development.

The specific objectives of the meeting are:

1. Strengthen the ownership and leadership of the DRR change process by central agencies within Pacific governments
2. Increase the understanding of the progress of implementation of the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005 – 2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters
3. Discuss the main policy recommendations and inputs which the Pacific Regional Platform will convey to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, June 16th – 19th 2009, Geneva
4. Discuss opportunity for South – South Cooperation and Learning: The Experience of the Caribbean
5. Discuss opportunities to enhance the sustainable development of Pacific countries through the strengthening of integrated water resources management, improved risk financing mechanisms and improved information and data baselines.

The meeting will comprise of a series of presentations and group discussions.

Please click here do download the agenda.

Please click here to download the communique.

Working Arrangements

Dear Partners,

The organisational and working arrangements for the 2009 Regional Disaster Risk Management Meetings are as follows:

General

ENTRY FORMALITIES – A valid passport, and a return ticket is a requirement for all participants entering Fiji.
An entry visa will be issued on arrival at Nadi International Airport.

Airport Transfers
The Tanoa International Hotel provides a shuttle bus between the hotel and Nadi Airport for free.
Transfers to and from the Tanoa International Hotel are the responsibility of individuals attending the meetings.
Should you miss the shuttle bus, taxis should not cost more than $5 from the airport to the hotel.

Insurance
Please note that SOPAC will not provide insurance for participants whilst travelling to or from Fiji, nor during the period of attendance at the meeting. SOPAC will not be held liable for any expenses arising from sickness, injury, or other disability.

Accommodation
All participants that registered by the deadline (31st March 2009) have been booked into the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi for the duration of the meetings. Alternative accommodation at other hotels can arranged for late registrants.

All costs related to accommodation, meals (except those that may be provided by SOPAC during the meetings) and incidentals shall be the responsibility of the individual.
The room rate at the Tanoa is approximately F$140/day for a single room and F$155/day for a twin-share (inclusive of Value added Tax and Hotel Turnover Tax). The room rate is inclusive of a full breakfast.

Meals
Morning, afternoon teas and lunch are provided only on meeting days. Other meals shall be at your own expense.

Meeting Venue
The 3 meetings will be held in the Convention Centre, Tanoa International Hotel.

Partnership Expo
There will be a marquee available commencing from Tuesday 12th May for an Expo for the Pacific DRM Partnership Network. A number of Partners have registered to showcase publications, displays etc.

Meeting Pack
A meeting pack consisting of folder and writing pad and electronic flash drive will be distributed during the registration.

Registration
Registration commences from between 8.00am to 5.00pm daily from Monday 11th May to Wednesday 13th May.

Presentations
The meeting venue will have available a projector suitable for use with Microsoft Power Point, an overhead projector and white board for use with individual presentations, as required.

As presentations will be included as part of the workshop record, we would appreciate it if you could provide the Secretariat with an electronic version prior to commencement of the meeting.

Electronic versions of all presentations will be available for participants to during the course of the meeting and all are encouraged to use the flash drives (distributed during registration) for this purpose. SOPAC is committed to the minimal use of paper during the meetings.

SOPAC Contacts
For all enquiries including programme, registration, logistics, presentations etc please contact:

Ms. Asenaca Rokamanalagi
Programme Assistant
SOPAC Community Risk Programme
Phone: (679) 338 1377, Ext 252
Email: asenaca@sopac.org

AND/OR

Mrs. Laisa Baoa
SOPAC Travel & Conference Officer
Phone: (679) 338 1377, Ext 210
Email: laisa@sopac.org