About the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is a biennial multi-stakeholder forum established by the UN General Assembly to review progress, share knowledge and discuss the latest developments and trends in reducing disaster risk.
The sixth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2019) will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 to 17 May, 2019, convened and organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and hosted by the Government of Switzerland. The session will be co-chaired by Switzerland and UNISDR. It will represent the next important opportunity for the international community to boost the implementation of the Sendai Framework related goals of the 2030 Agenda, as well as commitments of the Paris Climate Agreement. It is also the last global gathering for all stakeholders before the deadline for achieving Target E of the Sendai Framework: to substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.
The sixth session of the Global Platform will build on the momentum created in Cancun, amplified by the integration of disaster risk elements in the implementation of the SDGs, so as to take the implementation of the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda to the next level. It will allow the first stock take of the progress made in implementation, according to data submitted by Member States. The sense of urgency in achieving Target E by 2020 will receive much attention at the next Platform. The programme will be designed in a way that will allow ample space for sharing of experiences, good practices and challenges in achieving this target. While countries are rallying to meet Target E, it is important to ensure that all seven targets and the four priorities are pursued in parallel if the goal and outcome of the Sendai Framework are to be achieved by 2030.
The Chair's summary of the fifth session identified areas of special focus that require particular attention and follow up by member states and stakeholders and will be taken into account in the preparation of the next session. These are: a) monitoring implementation of the Sendai Framework, b) Achieving Target E, c) coherence with the sustainable development and climate change agendas, d) gender-sensitive and inclusive disaster risk reduction, and e) international cooperation initiatives.
UNISDR is committed to scaling up efforts towards integrated gender perspective as well as gender parity throughout the preparations for the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. This will entail fostering women's participation in the Global Platform whilst ensuring an equal gender representation in the sessions. Efforts will also be made to ensure that gender perspective is mainstreamed throughout the Global Platform discussions to ensure a proper recognition of women’s role and contribution to disaster risk reduction governance, especially in the context of Governments’ efforts in developing inclusive national and local strategies for disaster risk reduction by 2020 in support of Target E.
Thematic focus
Resilience Dividend: Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Societies
The theme of GP2019 will focus on how managing disaster risk and risk-informed development investments pay dividends in multiple sectors and geographies, across all scales, and throughout social, economic, financial and environmental fields. The concept of ‘resilience dividend’ in this context is to be interpreted in a broader sense that goes beyond monetary profit. It contributes to reducing disaster risk, fosters development and triggers multiple social, environmental and economic benefits in the long term. The sessions will be designed in a way that key players - such as ministries of planning, economy and finance, national and international regulators, and legislators, as well as members of the business and investor communities and international financial institutions - will feature prominently as speakers and discussants, throughout the Platform, while at the same time respecting an inclusive approach and making sure that all stakeholders will have an active role to play.
