 PEDRR Shoutout
Reporting from the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Cancun High-level Communiqué, which was the outcome document form the Leaders’ Forum, commits to investing more on resilient infrastructure, including green infrastructure and housing. It further highlighted the impacts of disasters on ecosystems and the importance of risk reduction in achieving social and economic development and environmental sustainability. The Leaders' Forum comprised Heads of State, senior ministers, CEOs, UN Executive Heads and community leaders.
A number of sessions focused on the role of ecosystems in building resilience to disasters and climate change, which is a Priority Area in the Sendai Framework. PEDRR, Partners for Resilience (PfR) and the Swiss NGO DRR Platform successfully held its side event on 24 May which featured panelists from Wetlands International, United Nations University, PfR, Netherlands Red Cross, Helvetas Swiss Inter-Coopreration, World Bank, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) . Barriers and opportunities for scaling up ecosystem-based solutions were discussed. Panelists suggested that there is need to advocate Eco-DRR solutions that are robust, as well as raise local community capacities to implement Eco-DRR.
The Working Session on Ecosystems and Agricultural Resilience discussed how ecosystems, natural resource management and agricultural practices contribute directly to reduced risk, adaptation and enhanced resilience. It examined multi-stakeholder efforts to address challenges to scale up investments in ecosystem-based solutions. Practical measures suggested to scale-up investments in ecosystem-based solutions included: creating incentives, improving community involvement, and mainstreaming into local and national government policies.
For a list of events on Eco-DRR organized by PEDRR, visit www.pedrr.org. The full video of the PEDRR side event is available here. More photos from the event could be found on our official Facebook Page: PEDRRnetwork
DRR Voices Blog: We need to use nature smarter than we have in the past
Are ecosystem-based solutions for disaster risk reduction gaining ground? What can be done to bring these solutions from small pilots to scale? Susanna Tol, Senior Communications and Advocacy Officer from Wetlands International, who was in Cancun, suggests that to overcome challenges, including the lack of investments, it is essential for Governments and stakeholders to become more sensitized in collaborating with each other. Read more here. |
