Capacity development strategy for Sendai Framework_National emergency broadcasting network

Group photo taken today at the close of the two day experts consultation on a Global Capacity Development Strategy to support implementation of the Sendai Framework

By Brigitte Leoni

GENEVA, 15 March 2018 - Over 100 experts today agreed on the key elements of a Global Capacity Development Strategy to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the global plan to reduce disaster losses adopted in March 2015.

This follows the launch two weeks ago of the Sendai Framework Monitor, an online tool for UN Member States to report on their yearly disaster losses and measures they are taking to reduce disaster risk. To date, 148 countries have appointed focal points to coordinate reporting.

The Global Capacity Development Stratgy will now go to a second round of regional consultations and be available on line https://www.preventionweb.net /files/56922_sfdrrcdstrategyzerodraft20180223.pdf till 31 March 2017 for more comments before being finalized and presented at the next Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in May 2019 in Geneva.

Welcoming the strategy, Prof. Wadid Erian, of the League of Arab States, said: “This was a very successful meeting. The zero draft of the Capacity Development Strategy was a very good basis for the work. We will be able to make good use of it in the League of Arab States. It also established a good basis for our work with the STAG (UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group) and we can build something very concrete in our activities.”

The strategy also got a positive review from Ms. Sayanaa Lkhagvasuren, Chief Adviser and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, the country which hosts the next Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction in July.

Ms. Lkhagvasuren said: “This strategy is going to be instrumental for many Member States who have established National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction to use as guidelines for national and local actions and to mobilise stakeholders across sectors in an inclusive and participatory approach.”

“Technical capacity building is very much needed and urgent in Nepal at the grassroots level, said Narayan Pradad Sharma Duwadee from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the consultation meeting in Geneva “as people easily forget about disasters and I hope we can get more training at the local level.”