European national platform and HFA focal point meeting
In view of the increasing relevance of regional political structures – namely the European Commission and, the EurOpa Major Hazards Agreement of the Council of Europe and the initiatives of UNISDR Europe – with regard to disaster reduction, the need for coordinated activities is more obvious than ever. The initiatives of the last years, like the Marrakesh Work Programme of EurOpa, but also the Greenpaper on adaptation to Climate Change of the European Commission and the study commissioned by EC/Directorate General of Environment on “Member states’ approaches towards prevention policy”, are only a few examples.
The dialogue started in previous National Platforms and HFA Focal Points meetings like in Bonn, Paris and Strasbourg on synergies, cooperation and coordinated activities of National Platforms and HFA Focal Points at regional level. They need to be further discussed in order to ensure that National Platforms and HFA Focal Points are involved in regional decision making processes.
At the same time we see a number of upcoming international events which could lead to important strategic decisions in the field of disaster risk reduction in the next years.
The aims of the meeting will be to:
1) identify practical arrangements for future cooperation/networking of National Platforms and HFA Focal points on European level.
2) exchange information and discuss possible inputs to the upcoming international events.