Nepal and the 6th Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction
From 22 June to 26 June, the Government of Nepal and partners from UN, INGOs and NGOs participated in the 6th Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR). In total, the Nepal delegation consisted of over 40 members. The Nepal delegation demonstrated organized and committed participation in the AMCDRR, led on 3 sessions and managed a market booth.
Nepal and HFA 2
During the 6th AMCDRR, the Government of Nepal demonstrated its commitment to the HFA 2 framework. The Government of Nepal identified and presented 3 key priority areas to be considered for the HFA2 framework. These priority areas are: Enhancing local resilience; integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation with development; strengthening risk governance and accountability. Building on HFA 1, the Government of Nepal remains committed to ensuring resilience is a national priority and is aligned with the HFA 2 framework.
Nepal and High Level Roundtable
The Nepal Delegation was led by Mr. Surya P Silwal, Home Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the Nepal country statement, Mr. Silwal highlighted Nepal’s commitment and progress under HFA 1, which include the development of a National Strategy for DRM and the creation of the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC). The Government of Nepal has taken significant steps towards strengthening its risk reduction, preparedness and response capacity. Moving forward under HFA 2, Mr. Silwal highlighted Nepal’s key priorities and stated Nepal’s commitment to the the post-2015 framework.
Regional Coordination: SAARC
During the side meeting on SAARC, the Nepal delegation identified the critical need to strengthen regional coordination and information sharing for disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response. Countries in the SAARC region face similar challenges in implementing DRR. In addition, disasters can have trans-boundary impacts. As a result, the Nepal delegation highlighted the need for SAARC members to work collectively in strengthening regional readiness for disaster.
Side meeting: mainstreaming DRR into local development planning
Led by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development and Chaired by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the side event on mainstreaming DRR into local development planning shared the Nepal case on the work being done to ensure local development planning integrates DRR. With over 35 participants, the side meeting highlighted the importance of mainstreaming and Nepal's case in 7 districts where local governments allocated US $2.5 million for DRR related activities. Some key issues discussed in this event included the importance of sustaining mainstreaming efforts and strengthening data collection and information management to ensure evidence based decision making for risk reduction and development.
Side meeting: institutionalizing early warning systems
Led by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and Chaired by the Ministry of Urban Development, the side event on early warning systems highlighted the process of institutionalizing early warning from local to central level in Nepal. With over 40 participants, the side meeting highlighted the importance of ensuring early warning is an integral part of risk reduction and institutionalized vertically and horizontally to ensure sustainability. Some key issues discussed in this event included the importance of ensuring early warning is linked from national to local level (last-mile EWS) and strengthening regional (SAARC) coordination and information sharing for early warning.
Pre-conference meeting: building code implementation
The pre-conference meeting on building code implementation, chaired by the Ministry of Home Affairs, brought governments from the region to share country experiences in implementation of building codes for earthquake safety. The Ministry of Urban Development shared Nepal's experience and highlighted both the work being done by the Government and partners and the challenges faced in implementation, compliance and enforcement. Throughout the meeting, it was highlighted the similar challenges experienced by countries in the region and the opportunity for greater collaboration and information sharing in the region to promote implementation of building codes.
Nepal Delegation and Technical Sessions / Side Meetings
The Nepal Delegation was active in its participation in the technical sessions and the side meetings with a diverse delegation with expertise ranging from DRR, preparedness, response, early warning, community engagement, urban risk reduction and schools. This diversity and cross-sector representation allowed the Nepal delegation to coordinate its participation in the 6th AMCDRR and learn from other participants and share Nepal’s experience in the respected areas.
Market booth
In order to highlight the collective efforts for DRR under the Government of Nepal's leadership, the Nepal delegation organized a collective market booth. This market booth showcased a documentary for DRR in Nepal and various materials and reports. The 6th AMCDRR had over 3000 participants and the Nepal market booth provided an opportunity to distribute materials and interact with participants.
Media coverage
Nepal's presence at the 6th AMCDRR went beyond the conference venue. An article on community resilience highlighted Nepal's work in the area: https://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/news/v.php?id=38060
In addition, the NRRC provided live updates on Facebook and Twitter. By the end of the conference, updates from the NRRC was liked or shared over 100 times and reached over 3000 people.
Keep up to date on DRR in Nepal by following the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NepalDRR
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NepalDRR