Purpose of the session

The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters was adopted by 168 Governments at the World Conference for Disaster Reduction in Kobe (Japan) in January 2005 to achieve a “substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets”. Governments committed to five priorities for action:

1. Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation.

2. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning.

3. Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels.

4. Reduce the underlying risk factors.

5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, in his capacity as chairperson of the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (ISDR), launched a consultative process in 2006 to consider practical ways to strengthen the ISDR system and better support Governments to meet their commitment to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action.

In setting up the Global Platform, it is foreseen that it will become the main global forum for all parties involved in disaster risk reduction, namely Governments, United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, regional bodies, civil society, the private sector, and the scientific and academic communities to:

• Raise awareness on reducing disaster risk:
  - Increase the profile of disaster risk reduction as part of development and climate change adaptation, recognizing that it is “everybody's business” and must be a multi-stakeholder undertaking, with Governments' playing a central role;
  - Reiterate the commitment of policy and decision-makers to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action.

• Share experience:
  - Learn from good practice;
  - Provide practical guidance for nations and communities to reduce disaster risk.

• Guide the ISDR system:
  - Assess progress made in implementing the Hyogo Framework, and identify obstacles, critical problems and emerging issues that must be addressed to speed up national and local implementation;
  - Enhance cooperation and concerted action by the international community to support national and local implementation of disaster risk reduction including identification of priorities for the ISDR system for 2008-2009.

Regional meetings and processes will complement and feed into the Global Platform.

Outcome of the session

The outcome of the first session of the Global Platform is captured in the proceedings of the first session "Acting with Common Purpose". It includes the key points and suggestions raised during the high level dialogue; the outcome of the workshops; and the conclusions of the multi-stakeholder deliberations on progress in implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action. The Chair's Summary identifies priorities for the ISDR system for 2008-2009. The main recommendations arising from the Global Platform contributed to the Report of the Secretary-General on the ISDR to the United Nations General Assembly.