In preparation for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Cancun a technical briefing on “Advancing implementation of the Sendai Framework through Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction: Road to Cancun” took place on 17 May in Geneva.

The briefing presented several success stories from joint European Commission and UN Environment work on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction.

Attended by Permanent Missions, UN agencies, NGOs and other interesting parties, the event sought to share practical examples in implementing Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction – known as Eco-DRR -  and discuss how to advance implementation of the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The briefing was set up by the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction, which seeks to promote and scale-up the implementation of Eco-DRR in development planning, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The 11 Permanent Delegations at the event agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation efforts amongst the signatory countries of the Sendai Framework and international organisations. This has the aim of reducing the impact of disasters on livelihoods and of promoting ecosystem protection.

The Global Platform itself, held in Cancun, Mexico on 22-26 May, saw a commitment from the Leaders’ Forum to invest more in resilient infrastructure, including green infrastructure and housing. The High-Level Communiqué issued also recognized the importance of risk reduction in achieving social and economic development and environmental sustainability.

The outcomes from the Cancun meeting show the importance of continuing to promote  robust Eco-DRR solutions and to mainstream them into local and national government policies.

For more information on UN Environment’s work on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction click here. For further details write to sophie.brown@unenvironment.org