Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Venue
United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 8
Organizers
Co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Disaster Risk Reduction (Permanent Missions of Australia, Indonesia, Norway and Peru), the Permanent Mission of Switzerland and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Time
1:15 – 2:45pm
Background
As the 2030 Agenda enters the final stretch for implementation with only 17% of the SDGs on track, the escalating impact of disasters continues to jeopardize progress, and threatens to reverse hard-won development gains. From 2015 to 2023, direct economic loss worldwide has been reported to exceed US$ 1.1 trillion in total1, with an even higher toll in terms of human lives as well as economic, social and environmental impacts. Recent Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), have highlighted both the obstacles and opportunities for a risk-informed approach to sustainable development.
This side event will delve into the key takeaways from the Global Platform for DRR, revealing priorities for the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Using insights from the VNRs, the event will also explore practical ways to strengthen the coherence between sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.
The discussion will focus on advancing next steps to strengthen national and international disaster risk reduction efforts in an evolving risk landscape. It will spotlight transformative actions and accelerated solutions, building on the main findings and calls to action from the Geneva Call for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2025 ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum.
Join us for a dynamic and insightful session to contribute to and learn from the global efforts to build resilience and achieve the SDGs.
Programme
Moderator: Ms. Laurel Patterson, Strategic Partnerships and Communications Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau
Fireside chat: Learnings from the Global Platform Key takeaways from Global Platform to accelerate SDG implementation
- Mr. Christian Frutiger, Assistant Director General and Head of Thematic Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Switzerland
- Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR
Panel: Building a strong evidence base for DRR and resilience Insights from VNRs and future pathways for implementation
- Three countries presenting on their integration of DRR in the VNRs
Open Discussion
Closing Remarks: Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on Disaster Risk Reduction
This event is open to all participants registered for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025) and to those holding a valid UN grounds pass.