The UN’s Palais de Nations in Geneva was the chosen venue for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which took place from May 13th to the 17th. ISC ROLAC was represented by 7 members from its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) committee. The office was also represented by Dr. Manuel Limonta, regional director, and MA Oscar Reyes, Science Officer. Other attendants were Mami Mizutori, Special Rep of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General; and Raul Salazar, Chief of the UN office for DRR. This event, which was sponsored by the United Nations’ office for DRR, had different main goals, such as monitoring and reviewing progress implementation of the sendai framework, taking stock In development and implementation of national and local strategies and plans for DRR, forging partnerships and share practice and knowledge of DRR policies, and promoting the integration of DRR management in other relevant sectors. The event included ministerial round tables, high-level dialogues, officials statements, working sessions, Ignite sessions, and two awards ceremonies.
ISC ROLAC’s main goal for this event was to participate in the deliberations that related to this important priority area in our region. Events like this are very important for the office, since it gives its members a chance to talk with high-level individuals on the topic of Disaster Risk Reduction The main achievements the office accomplished were first and foremost our participation in this global meeting. It was also possible to communicate with 7 out of 10 members of ISC ROLAC’s DRR Steering Committee, and agree on a date for the next meeting of said committee. Finally, another achievement was to strength the relationship with the UNDRR office and other important organizations. The ISC ROLAC DRR committee will continue discussions on this issue at the next meeting in Guatemala from August 28th-30th, in which many of the topics discussed will be taken up again in the discussion of the region.