2nd Announcement for the 2011 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Global Platform is the world’s foremost gathering of stakeholders committed to reducing disaster risk and building the resilience of communities and nations. The Third Session of the Global Platform will bring together disaster risk reduction, recovery and reconstruction experts. Over 2,000 policy makers and practitioners, from government, international organizations, NGOs, academia, and the private sector from both developing and developed countries will collect, assess and share information as well as set new directions. The Third Session will be convened over six days (8-13 May) in Geneva, Switzerland. The official welcome and plenary sessions will begin on Tuesday 10 May.
Formal invitations will be sent to delegations in the coming weeks.
The Chair’s Summary of Second Session the Global Platform in 2009 called for “Reduced risk for all”. Since the last Global Platform in 2009, local action is delivering results and drawing increased attention. Over 150 cities to date have signed-up to the Making Cities Resilient campaign, illustrating the commitment and contribution of mayors, local governments and their supporters worldwide to reducing risk. A new Community Practitioners Platform for Resilience is also being used by policy makers and community organizations to build alliances between them. As well, the Global Assessment Report 2011 recognizes local perspectives and incorporates “Views from the Frontline” from civil society organizations.
Some questions for the 2011 Global Platform include: To what extent do our interventions lead to improved conditions in the places where the vulnerable live and work? Are all our programs and policies targeted enough at supporting local action and building on local assets? How can we accelerate finance and increase investment in local action. What do we need to do to make this happen?