VII Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean (RP21)
The Government of Jamaica, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) - Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) are pleased to announce that the VII Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean (RP21) will take place virtually during the week of 1 to 4 of November 2021. In 1998-2017 disaster-hit countries reported direct economic losses valued at USD 2,908 billion. Reported losses from extreme weather events rose by 151% compared to the previous 20-year period. The Americas and the Caribbean accounts or 53% of reported global economic losses in the last 20 years as a result of climate-related disasters. The heaviest cost of storms relative to the size of their economies fell on small island states of the Caribbean. The United Nations lists Jamaica among the countries most exposed to natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides and flooding. The Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government & Community Development and Deputy Chairman of the National Disaster Risk Management Council (NDRMC) said "the forum will raise awareness not just for Jamaica, but for the region on a whole to have a real platform for expression of our positions on disaster risk and all the associated issues".
Regional Platforms are recognized by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (A/RES/69/283) as critical mechanisms to monitor progress in its implementation at the regional level. They also play an instrumental role in the development of policies and strategies and in the advancement of knowledge and mutual learning at the regional level. Regional Platforms take stock of the implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies that are aligned with the Sendai Framework and assess the level of progress made, to identify gaps and priorities and make recommendations for the development of the next Global Platform.
The event was postponed from its original date in July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in recognition of the attention the emergency demanded from the institutions and governments involved in the organization as well as from participants of the Regional Platform.
The webpage of the Regional Platform will soon be updated and will contain all relevant announcements and up to date information on the event henceforward.