Session 30
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Contents |
Closing Ceremony
Session Information
Date and Time: Friday, 13 May 2011, 11:30-12:30
Chair/Moderator/Facilitator: Ms. Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Reduction
Reporters: Eleanor Guido, James McBrien, ICVolunteers.org
Editor: Sarah Webborn, ICVolunteers.org
Speakers
- Ms. Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Reduction
- The representative of the World Bank
- Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, representating Bangladesh
- Thomas Loster, representative of the Munich Re Foundation
Description
Distinguished delegates were cordially invited to the formal closing of the Third Session of the Global Platform.
Summary
The Third Session of the Global Platform comes to an end with a positive outlook for the future and general satisfaction. The time is right to make a step forward. Knowledge, technologies, good practice are available, now it is imperative to act. The present conference was a remarkable contribution.
The Co-chair, representing the World Bank, thanked the participants whose presence and work demonstrate that we are on the right track. That is the positive message to take home so as to encourage further action. Due to the unfortunately high frequency of disasters, there is a body of knowledge which must be shared in order to prevent and reduce risk. For instance Nasa, Google and other organizations are working to develop an open access database. Other valuable examples in term of expertise in DRR and prevention come from Switzerland, Italy, USA, Australia and Sweden, just to mention a few. The representative concluded with a strong message: it is not possible to wait any longer for a world with better prevention and preparedness.
Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, representing Bangladesh, said what distinguished the conference was not the number of participants, but above all for the quality and varieties of voices which participated. The event clearly communicated that DRR is everybody’s business and, at the same time, is a remarkable opportunity for a better future. The main challenge is to upscale already existing projects, to institutionalized them and to create new partnerships. However it is important to keep in mind that it is not the programmes and instruments which are the final goal, but the wellbeing of the population and the respect of human dignity and diversity. Mr. Chowdhury also underlined a comment made by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon: A really important aspect of investments is not so much the scale, but the wisdom and the cautiousness behind them. Finally the speaker appealed for a stronger link between DRR and mitigation, because it is impossible to stop natural hazards from happening.
Mr. Thomas Loster, representative of the Munich Re Foundation, stressed the importance of grass roots work and he warmly welcome the announcement of the International Disaster and Risk Conference Risk Award. For the first time, Munich Re Foundation, the Global Risk Forum and United Nations secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction ([1] UNISDR) are supporting with €100,000 a risk reduction project that will contribute to increasing people’s resilience. The focus for 2012 is urban areas and early warning.
The conference was officially concluded by Ms. Margareta Wahlström, who described the moment as a turning point in term of awareness and willingness. The strong message of the conference is that we know what is necessary to do and there is a framework of action till 2015. Therefore the time has come for the next leap, a leap to take together because we are all part of the same family.
To conclude, an image proposed by the representative from Bangladesh: if a house takes fire, everybody is affected, from the servant who lives near the fireplace to the master. Therefore prevention is in everybody’s interest.
Use of Key Words
Disaster: There has been a body of knowledge accumulated through multiple natural disasters. We know that disasters are not completely predictable. (Ms. Zoubida Allaoua) Natural Disasters have cascading effects. (Mr. A.K. Chowdhury)
Disaster Risk Management: We regard ourselves as knowledgeable in Disaster Risk Management. (Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Bangladesh)
Disaster Risk Reduction: There has been a very constructive dialogue at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction as well as the World Reconstruction Conference. (Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, World Bank) Disaster Risk Reduction is everyone’s business as indicated by this platform. Disaster Risk Reduction is a key area. (Mr. A.K. Chowdhury) A new award has been created for Disaster Risk Reduction. (Ms. M. Wahlstrom)
Early Warning Systems: The new “Risk Award” will focus on early warning in urban areas and you may adapt existing concepts for this award. (Mr. Thomas Loster, Munich Re)
Mitigation: Disaster Risk Reduction needs to be seen in terms of mitigation and not just about natural disasters. (Mr. A.K. Chowdhury)
Preparedness: What would have happened if Japan had not been prepared? (Mr. A.K. Chowdhury)
Resilience: For the first time, Munich Re Foundation, the Global Risk Forum and United Nations secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) are supporting with €100,000 a risk reduction project that will contribute to increasing people’s resilience. (Mr. Thomas Loster)
Risk: Work on open access databases has provided indicators to assess risk. (Ms. Zoubida Allaoua)
Sustainable Development: We have to act for more sustainable development. (Ms. Z. Allaoua)
LIST OF KEYWORDS
- Disaster
- Disaster Risk Management
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Early Warning Systems
- Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Resilience
- Risk
- Sustainable Development
See the full list of main key words
