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Report on the status of the International Decade for Disaster Reduction


Report on the status of the International Decade for Disaster Reduction



The International Decade for Disaster Reduction is coming to an end and the United Nations International Decade for Disaster Reduction Forum was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5 to 9 July 1999. The purpose of this meeting is to comprehensively summarize the achievements of the countries in the world in carrying out the International Decade for Disaster Reduction, provide support for the theme of disaster reduction for the convening of the UN Economic and Social Council, and jointly formulate plans for disaster reduction in the 21st century for the next phase of disaster reduction. Work provides inspection and technical support. The meeting was highly valued by member states, the United Nations system and international organizations. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan attended the opening ceremony and made an important speech.
First, the basic situation of the meeting
More than 700 representatives from more than 90 countries and regions, more than 50 international organizations and non-governmental organizations attended the conference. The chairman of the meeting was Mr. AKAO, the Japanese ambassador to the United Nations. The event forum was held for 5 days.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan spoke at the opening ceremony and pointed out that during the International Decade for Disaster Reduction, the international community has made remarkable achievements in disaster reduction. However, human society still faces serious challenges from various disasters. In particular, the disaster situation in developing countries is even more severe, and poverty has increased the risk of disasters. Disaster prevention, early warning and the application of science and technology in disaster reduction are crucial. The United Nations should continue to play its central role in disaster reduction in the future. Member states, non-governmental organizations and international agencies should carry out disaster reduction work more consistently, and develop clearer guidelines at all levels to push disaster reduction work to the 21st century. He particularly emphasized that "in any case, we must change our mindset and change from post-disaster response to pre-disaster defense. Pre-disaster defense is not only more humane than rescue, but also more economical. Let us not forget that disaster prevention is an extremely urgent task. It is as important as reducing the risk of war."
The meeting reviewed the achievements of the International Decade for Disaster Reduction and exchanged and discussed 41 topics on disaster reduction, science and technology, education and socio-economic, environment and development for the 21st century. The disaster situation facing us has proposed a disaster reduction strategy for the 21st century. At the same time, relevant countries and international organizations have demonstrated the results of the Decade through the use of panels and audiovisual and multimedia technologies.
Second, the situation of the Chinese delegation
China has sent a delegation headed by Fan Baojun, deputy director and secretary general of the China International Decade for Disaster Reduction, and deputy minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The China International Decade for Disaster Reduction, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Agriculture It consists of 28 members from the Ministry of Land and Resources, China Earthquake Administration, China Meteorological Administration, State Forestry Administration, China Disaster Relief Association, China Charity Federation, Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau, Jiangsu Provincial Civil Affairs Department, and Chongqing Civil Affairs Bureau.
The Chinese delegation attaches great importance to attending this meeting. A lot of meticulous preparations were made before the meeting, and the "China International Year for Disaster Reduction Report on Zao Action and Prospects", "Introduction to China International Decade for Disaster Reduction", "China Natural Disasters and Disaster Relief", and "Reduction of Disasters in the People's Republic of China" were printed. Planning and other materials, produced the "China Disaster Reduction Promo" and CD-ROM, as well as the exhibition board to introduce the achievements of China's disaster reduction work. Representatives from many countries attended the exhibition booths at China's booths to discuss issues, ask for information, and praised the Chinese delegation's preparations for their meticulous attention.
Chairman Fan Baojun spoke at the opening ceremony of the conference, spoke highly of the achievements of the International Decade for Disaster Reduction, and introduced the basic situation of China's disaster reduction work, especially the achievements of flood control and disaster relief in 1998. Proposed the retention of the United Nations International Disaster Reduction Agency, the development of an international disaster reduction information sharing plan, the establishment of the United Nations International Disaster Reduction Fund, the establishment of a global prediction and early warning system for major natural disasters, and the establishment of an effective liaison and collaboration system among disaster reduction experts to further carry out international disaster reduction activities. Suggestions. He expressed his active support for the United Nations to play a greater role in the international disaster reduction activities of the 21st century.
During the meeting, the head of Fan Baojun met with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the President of the General Assembly, Mr. AKAO, the Director of the UN Disaster Reduction Committee Secretariat, Mr. Bray, and the Director of the International Civil Defence Organization, and cooperated with the Director of the Netherlands Emergency Technology Center to carry out bilateral disaster reduction cooperation. A useful discussion was carried out.
Third, the main results of the meeting
After discussion, the meeting adopted the four archives of "Basic Conclusions of Geneva", "Geneva Disaster Reduction Strategy", "Geneva Disaster Reduction Declaration" and "Science and Technology Support Sub-forum Forum on Natural Disaster Reduction".
"Basic conclusions of Geneva" from poverty eradication, big cities and urban areas, communities, propaganda, early warning, information, education and training, partners, risk management, health, climate instability, environment and ecosystems, scientific research, construction The 16 issues of regulation and practice, nuclear disaster data and framework comprehensively summarize the main problems involved in disaster reduction.
The "Geneva Disaster Reduction Strategy" pointed out that it is necessary to change the existing concept of disaster reduction in general, that is, to change from post-disaster response to pre-disaster defense. To this end, the 21st century disaster reduction strategy was proposed: raising people's awareness of various disaster risks; establishing government responsibility for disaster reduction and risk reduction; building community disaster reduction networks to improve community resilience; disaster-reducing economy and Social loss. This strategy also places special emphasis on the responsibilities of governments at all levels and the role of the United Nations.
At the heart of the Geneva Declaration on Disaster Reduction is that the world is being threatened by increasingly serious natural disasters, and therefore decisive action must be taken to achieve the goal of reducing vulnerability in the Yokohama Strategy of 1994 and the Geneva Disaster Mitigation Measures of 1999. Strengthening disaster reduction scientific research and technology application at all levels, expanding exchanges and cooperation among countries in the field of disaster reduction science and technology, promoting technology transfer; strengthening cooperation among various departments in disaster reduction; and ensuring the implementation of disaster reduction plans; and recommending the International Decade for Disaster Reduction On the basis of the existing ones, further strengthen international cooperation in disaster reduction.
The "Science and Technology Support Forum on Natural Disaster Mitigation" pointed out that in the past decade, science and technology have played a prominent role in disaster reduction work, and the next step is to promote scientific and technological progress in the field of disaster reduction.
The proposal put forward by the Chinese government delegation at this meeting on the continued retention of the UN's disaster reduction agencies has been positively echoed by many delegations, and they have called for strengthening the coordination role of the UN in disaster reduction work in the 21st century. After discussing the issue of disaster reduction, the UN Economic and Social Council agreed in principle to retain the relevant UN disaster reduction agencies and formally submit a bill to the next UN General Assembly.

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