Meeting of European national platforms and HFA focal points

The UK Cabinet Office in collaboration with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat (UNISDR) and the Council of Europe (European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA)) are organizing a meeting of European National Platforms and Focal Points from 11 – 13 November 2009 in London.

The objectives of this meeting are to:

-    discuss advances on the European Regional Platform activities;
-    view developments on private-public partnership (insurance for disaster risk reduction) in Europe;
-    prepare for Copenhagen (COP 15);
-    discuss and engage in the HFA mid-term review

The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disaster, adopted at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR) in Kobe, Japan, in January 2005, highlights the key role played by National Platforms on Disaster Risk Reduction, which serve as catalysts to bring together relevant stakeholders at the national level. The importance of exchanging experiences and expertise at the regional level is indicated as a key asset to achieve the HFA goals.  
    
Presentations and group discussions will be organised to consider ways to move forward and identify possible contributions and inputs to the process.