By Abigael Gioche
The 8th session of the Global Platform (GP25) commenced yesterday, June 2, in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum is organized and convened by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland.
The GP is the global forum where participants take stock of progress, share new knowledge, exchange best practice and discuss the latest developments and trends in reducing disaster risk.
Themed, Every Day Counts: Act for Resilience Today, the forum underscores the urgency of implementing disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures to enhance resilience against disasters.
“Disasters don’t wait. Our response cannot be either,” Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, highlighted the urgency of proactive disaster risk reduction measures.
The forum primarily aims to review the Sendai Framework (2015-2030). The Framework is a global agreement adopted by the United Nations to guide efforts in reducing disaster risks and building resilience.
Its main purpose is to substantially reduce disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, health, infrastructure, and ecosystems by 2030.
Assessment and discussion of the progress made in the implementation and recommendations put forth through the Political Declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly in May 2023 will also form part of the discussions.
Guided by the Sendai Framework, particularly its goals, four priorities of action, seven global targets, and key priorities identified in the Framework review, the forum aims to reduce disaster losses in lives, livelihoods, and health.
Major outcomes after its commencement include calls for accelerated action in implementing the Sendai Framework, strengthening of global partnerships, promotion of localized solutions in building resilience and integration of DRR strategies with sustainable development goals.
The GP25 is expected to end on June 6.