UNGA adopts resolution on disaster reduction

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on disaster reduction, endorsing the Sendai Declaration and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, media reported on Thursday.

According to the resolution, the assembly decided to establish an open-ended inter-governmental expert working group comprising experts supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, with the involvement of relevant stakeholders, Xinhua news agency reported.

The working group is aimed at developing a set of possible indicators to measure global progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, coherent with the work of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators, said the resolution.

The working group is expected to complete its work by December 2016 and submit its report to the General Assembly for consideration.

In terms of the objectives of the resolution, the Sendai Framework aims to, in the next 15 years, substantially reduce disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries, said the resolution.

The implementation of this framework will be guided by many principles, while taking into account national circumstances, and consistent with domestic laws as well as international obligations and commitments, it noted, adding that each country has the primary responsibility to prevent and reduce disaster risk, including through international, regional, sub-regional, trans- boundary and bilateral cooperation.

"The reduction of disaster risk is a common concern for all States and the extent to which developing countries are able to effectively enhance and implement national disaster risk reduction policies and measures in the context of their respective circumstances and capabilities can be further enhanced through the provision of sustainable international cooperation," said the resolution.