Share

Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2019 Geneva

GEM and two thousand others from around the world participated in the sixth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2019) in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 to 17 May 2019. The event, convened and organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and hosted by the Government of Switzerland, featured Working Sessions, Side Events, Innovative Platform and IGNITE Stage where participants presented and discussed a wide range of topics in disaster risk reduction.

Day 1 featured a high-level dialogue on global and regional progress, including outcomes from the regional platforms and a presentation and discussion on the state of global risk and future trends. The first day also featured a side event to announce the release of the Global Assessment Report 2019 (GAR2019) where Dr. Juan Pablo Sarmiento, Florida International University - Disaster Risk Reduction Program acknowledged GEM’s pioneering work on global risk assessment in his presentation. GEM’s global earthquake hazard and risk assessment work is featured in Chapter 3: Risk, especially in sections 3.1.1 Seismic and 3.2.1 Structural Exposure.

Day 2 focused on risk-informed public and private investments, including investments in infrastructure and innovative investment modalities. A working session was also devoted to the launch of the Global Risk Assessment Framework (GRAF) where GEM is an active member and contributor.

The last day focused on action on climate and disaster risk, including integrated national policies, strategies and planning, innovative financial and social instruments for climate and disaster risk reduction, including gender considerations.

(source: https://www.preventionweb.net/files/58809_gpconceptnote.pdf)

“The Global Platform is an opportunity for us to come together to renew and accelerate our efforts to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk reduction. Achieving its targets for reducing disaster losses is a challenge and an opportunity to make the world a safer and more resilient place for future generations.” - Ms. Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction.

(source: https://www.unisdr.org/conference/2019/globalplatform/home)

The GEM Foundation released the Africa Earthquake Hazard and Risk model on 15th May in recognition of UNISDR’s Global Platform 2019 Conference in Geneva. The technical data and information for this model is now available on the Africa Model webpage. The Africa Earthquake model underpins the African portion of GEM’s global maps released in December 2018.