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Announcements

WCDRR World Conference Wrap up

19 March 2015 - Thanks to the global disaster risk reduction community for making the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction a resounding success.

THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION: 2015-2030 was adopted on 18 March 2015.  All CONFERENCE DOCUMENTS AND VIDEOS can be found on this conference website.  The MOBILE CONFERENCE BOX can be accessed for a limited time at: http://wcdrrbag.info/home.php. CONFERENCE PHOTOS can be seen here. HFA CELEBRATION STORIES AND VIDEOS can be found here. 

SOME CONFERENCE STATISTICS
- Over 6,500 delegates attended the intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder events and over 50,000 attended the public forum
- 187 States were officially represented
- Over 25 Heads of State, Vice Presidents, and Heads of Government attended
- 100 participants were at ministerial level
- 42 intergovernmental organizations, 236 non-government organizations, -38 UN entities; and over 300 private sector representatives attended
- The international press was represented by 900 accredited journalists

EVENTS
- 150 intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder events were held
- Over 350 side events were organized in the public forum

THE CONFERENCE WAS GREEN
- ‘PAPER SMART’ - Over 2,500 participants used the electronic conference box. More than 3,000 documents were downloaded, and more than 3,100 were e-mailed out. As a result, we estimate that ten million pages-worth of documents were not printed - an equivalent of 124 trees not cut down.
- BICYCLES - Many delegates used bicycles to travel between venues
- GARBAGE SEGREGATION - Delegates segregated their waste at the venues
- CARBON OFFSET - A number of participants carbon offset their travel to Sendai

THE CONFERENCE WAS ACCESSIBLE
- More than 200 persons with disabilities actively participated in the Conference proceedings as delegates, speakers, panelists, and contributors. Thirty-four events from the Official Conference Programme and Public Forum addressed issues of disability.
- At the main venues, closed captioning in English and Japanese were provided for the intergovernmental segment.
- Sign language interpretation was provided on demand for various sessions.
- The venues were made accessible with transportation available that could accommodate wheel chairs.
- In addition to making documents in accessible format, accessibility partner KGS Corporation provided blind participants with a machine that displayed documents in Braille.

5 days to go until WCDRR: Provisional list of participants and speakers now online

9 March 2015 - The opening of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction is only five days away. Prior to the formal start of the Conference, a third session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom3) will be held on 13 March 2015.

The provisional LIST OF PARTICIPANTS AND SPEAKERS for the Ministerial Round Tables and the Working Sessions of the World Conference are now online: https://www.wcdrr.org and https://www.wcdrr.org/conference/programme.

The World Conference WEBSITE WILL BE UPDATED DAILY with programme information, session documentation, speakers and commitments.

WATCH WEBCASTS and follow other content online when the World Conference begins.

We look forward to seeing you in Sendai!

Draft post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction now available

6 March 2015 -  The draft post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction, as of 28 January, is now available in all six languages on the Conference website at https://www.wcdrr.org/preparatory/prepcom3.

10 days to go until WCDRR: 10-point check list

4 March 2015 - There are just 10 DAYS TO GO before the WCDRR. Before you leave home, please go through the CHECK LIST below:

  1. DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE HANDBOOK for practical information about arriving in Sendai - now available in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Practical information and the official conference programme are included.
  2. ASK ARRIVAL ASSISTANCE - The Government of Japan is providing transit assistants in Narita and Haneda Airports and Tokyo Station. Look out for them in case you have questions on arrival.
  3. READ UP ON SESSIONS - Visit the sessions you plan to attend via the daily agenda and start reading the background papers and documents.
  4. TRAVELLING BY BULLET TRAIN? - Non-Japanese-passport holders can buy an inexpensive pass for about 185 USD that will let you get on any train operated by JR East for any 5 days within a 14-day period. It can be booked online and then the voucher can be exchanged for your pass at any of the locations listed here. When using this pass, please remember to enter Japan as a "tourist" on your disembarkation card. Refer to the following for more information.
  5. SECURE YOUR ACCOMMODATION - If you reserved your hotel room through the official system, you should have received an email with confirmation instructions from "2015sendai_hotel@gmt.jtb.jp" titled "[2015sendai_hotel] 05710-xxx …". Check your spam box if you haven't received this email. If you have problems completing the booking, please write to: 2015sendai_hotel@gmt.jtb.jp
  6. BRING YOUR TABLETS - The WCDRR is a paper smart conference. Paper copies of official documents will be available on demand, but we encourage all delegations to use electronic versions instead. Smart phones and laptop computers also work. If you would like to borrow a tablet please make a request to wcdrr.tablets@gmail.com soon. Refrain from distributing documents at the Conference. Instead send us electronic copies and we will feature them in the Conference Box system. Please fill in the form and return as soon as possible to: wcdrr.tablets@gmail.com
  7. COME EARLY FOR THE FIRST DAY - Please arrive at the conference venue well before 10:00 on 14 March. Expect traffic and queues in the morning. There will be restricted seating for the opening of the Conference, and there will be a number of spill over rooms. Note that umbrellas, large cameras and plastic bottles will not be permitted in the opening ceremony.
  8. GO GREEN - offset your air travel to Sendai, plant trees, take the electric bicycles between venues of the conference, segregate your garbage at the meeting. Tell us via email (wcdrr.tablets@gmail.com) what you plan to do and get a Green badge.
  9. BE READY TO ANNOUNCE COMMITMENTS like to the Worldwide Initiative for Safe Schools (https://www.wcdrr.org/safeschools)
  10. TWEET that you're joining #WCDRR - spread the DRR word through social media.

World Conference handbook and information note available

9  February 2015 -  A Conference handbook and an information note to provide information to participants about the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and related arrangements are now available. 

For more information, visit practical information.

World Conference registration opens

14  January 2015 -   The online registration for official delegations of States, accredited Intergovernmental Organizations and UN specialized agencies is now open http://eaccreditation.un.int through to 5 March 2015. For further guidance on registration, please consult. 

Note:

  1. The booking system is available here.  The Sendai Committee accommodation center will provide information and various types of local information to persons using the booking system.
  2. Events that make up the Public Forum are listed here. 
  3. Awareness and promotional campaigns are underway. You can contribute in several ways, among them: The #road2sendai campaign, highlighting the good work being done on risk and resilience by civil society. The campaign is already up and running. You can contribute to campaign here. You can also post a WCDRR blog in any UN language.  

Conference programme available

7  January 2015 -  A draft programme for the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held from 14 to 18 March 2015 in Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan is now available here.

This draft programme will give you a first glance of what will happen during the World Conference. It will be updated as the conference date approaches. For the most up-to-date draft programme, visit the Conference Programme page here.

WCDRR: The countdown begins

4 December 2014 -  100 DAYS TO GO!  Are you ready for the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on 14 March 2015?

Are your engaged in shaping the World Conference sessions? All World Conference sessions are now defined.  Share your ideas and Contribute to the WCDRR sessions by sharing on each session page:

  •  Relevant initiatives that can contribute to the implementation of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction in terms of voluntary commitments.
  •  Key materials, videos, publications capturing experiences, challenges and solutions in implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action.
  • Key questions you wish to have addressed by the session. 

Applications to present for 15 minutes on the IGNITE stage are open from 1 to 31 December 2014. Apply 

Will you be joining us in Sendai? Pre-registration to the World Conference is now open for NGOs and Major Groups in consultative status with ECOSOC with deadline of 20 February 2015. Register 

Would you like to learn more? A free and open e-tutorial on the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction provides you essential knowledge and preparations for the World Conference. Register

WCDRR Sessions: Call for contributions

31 October 2014 - For each of the sessions of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, your input and contributions will assist in the preparation and outcomes of the World Conference.

How to contribute? For each of the sessions, please provide input on:

  1. Relevant initiatives and programmes that can contribute to and scale-up the implementation of disaster risk reduction.
  2. Suggestions of how to motivate innovation and build sustainable partnerships for implementation in the area addressed by the session.
  3. Key materials, publications capturing country experiences, challenges and solutions. 

Contribute now

Co-Chairs' zero draft released

20 October 2014 - The co-Chairs of the Preparatory Committee for the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction released the zero draft of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. This document will serve as the basis for the negotiations at the second session of the Preparatory Committee, to be held in Geneva, from 17 to 18 November 2014.

The full text of the zero draft of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction is available here.  

World Conference: Opportunities to engage

10 October 2014 -  With only six months to go until the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction opens on 14 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan, there are multiple ways to engage. Do not miss these opportunities.

 Co-Chairs' pre-zero draft released

8 August 2014 - The co-Chairs of the Preparatory Committee for the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Ambassadors Päivi Kairamo (Finland) and Thani Thongphakdi (Thailand) released the pre-zero draft of the pre-zero draft of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. The pre-zero draft will be translated into the six United Nations languages and will be available by the first week of September 2014.

The co-Chairs wish to advise (refer to Letter from the co-Chairs) that the pre-zero draft serves as the basis for the open-ended informal consultative meetings in September and October 2014.

  • Co-Chairs' pre-zero draft AR | CH | EN | ES | FR | RU
  • Letter from the co-Chairs AR | CH | EN | ES | FR | RU
  • Schedule of open-ended informal consultative meetings AR | CH | EN | ES | FR | RU

Nominations now open for the 2015 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction

23 June 2014 - Nominations for the 2015 Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction are now open for individuals or groups of people providing extraordinary leadership in creating a safe, healthy, wealthy and resilient future for the planet.

Under the 2015 theme “Shaping the Future,” an independent jury of experts will award the candidate demonstrating an ability to act ahead, who is comfortable with tackling uncertainty and is skilled at managing resources and listening to new voices – all directed towards reducing risk.

The deadline for submissions is 31 October 2014. The winner will be announced on 17 March 2015 at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. The awardee will receive a prize of US$50,000.

Nominate now

For more information, visit https://www.wcdrr.org/sasakawa

Registration of Speakers and submission of statements for the first PrepCom now open

19 June 2014 - Member States and observers wishing to speak in plenary sessions of the first PrepCom shall communicate their names and submit their statements as early as possible.

For more information, visit https://www.wcdrr.org/preparatory/prepcom1/statements.

Preparations for first PrepCom of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

17 June 2014 - The first Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee meeting (PrepCom) for the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will be held from 14-15 July 2014 in Geneva at the Palais de Nations, where it will begin to develop the future framework for disaster risk reduction. An advanced copy of a note by the secretariat, “Suggested elements for the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction” is now available to support this process.

This note and other official documents for the first PrepCom are also available on the World Conference website at https://www.wcdrr.org/preparatory/prepcom1.

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction: Government announcements and stakeholder voluntary commitments

15 May 2014 - We welcome registrations of Government announcements and stakeholder voluntary commitments to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action as well as support the development of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

Government announcements and special initiatives include both national and local governments, and parliamentarians, and complement the official government statements made at the Open-ended Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee meetings and the WCDRR.

Voluntary commitments from other stakeholders can be made by all other disaster risk reduction actors such as private sector, NGOs, local communities, science organizations, etc.

Please click on the below link to register a Government announcement or a stakeholder voluntary commitment:

https://www.wcdrr.org/preparatory/commitments

Registration and accreditation now open

23 April 2014 - Registration and accreditation for participation in the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 and its Preparatory Committee meetings is now open.

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015: Way forward

On 20 December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to hold the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction from 14 to 18 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan, outlining the modalities for the preparations of the 3rd World Conference.

This Second Announcement summarizes the expected outcomes at the 3rd World Conference per Assembly resolution A/RES/68/211, reviews steps to be taken towards the World Conference, and provides updates on activities towards the development of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction and United Nations System engagement in the future framework, advocacy and media activities, budget and resources, and tips for planning participants’ attendance.

  • View WCDRR second announcement

    AR | CH | EN | FR | RU | SP

UN sets the stage for adoption of a new global agreement on disaster risk in 2015

12 December 2013, Geneva – The United Nations General Assembly has set the stage for a new global agreement on reducing the impact of disasters by confirming that the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will take place in Sendai City, Japan from 14 to 18 March 2015.

The main item on the Conference agenda is agreement on a successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action which was adopted at the last such Conference in 2005 within weeks of the Indian Ocean tsunami and which was attended by representatives from 168 UN Member States. Over 8,000 people are expected to attend the 2015 event including heads of State, government ministers, parliamentarians, academics, NGO and other civil society representatives.

UNISDR Chief Margareta Wahlström said: “The 3rd World Conference provides us with a rare opportunity to forge universal agreement on how to build disaster resilience across all sectors of society. It is particularly important that we have a strong urban focus as we expect 75% of the world’s population to be living in towns and cities by 2050.”

Sendai City is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region with a population of one million people. In March 2011, it was one of the cities affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, which killed over 15,000 people and is one of the costliest disasters in history.

Ms. Emiko Okuyama, the Mayor of Sendai City, today unveiled the Conference logo. She said: “This logo was designed by a local designer and represents people joining hands to create a chain of action. The five colours stand for the five priorities of Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015): Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters which brought the concept of resilience into the mainstream of development thinking. We look forward to hosting the Conference and to welcoming the world to the Tohoku region which has made a strong recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.”

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015: Save the date

20 August 2013 - Subject to an anticipated decision of the UN General Assembly later in 2013, the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) is to take place in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, from 14 to 18 March 2015 (five days inclusive).

Hosted by the Government of Japan in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), as secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, the WCDRR will review the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action and is expected to adopt a successor framework for disaster risk reduction.

The post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction will build on the knowledge and practice developed through the implementation of the International Framework for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction of 1989, the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action of 1994, the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction of 1999 and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 66/199, UNISDR will continue to ensure extensive and inclusive multi-stakeholder consultations for a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

© 2014 UNISDR