International frameworks for Disaster Risk Reduction
While the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is the roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction action, other critical global agendas cannot be implemented without considering Disaster Risk Reduction. These include the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the New Urban Agenda and the Convention on Biodiversity Diversity. There are clear links between those international instruments and UNESCO’s priorities and actions.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 outlines seven targets and four priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks: (i) Understanding disaster risk; (ii) Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; (iii) Investing in disaster reduction for resilience, and; (iv) Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
In line with these priorities, UNESCO assists Member States in building their capacities to withstand and cope with natural hazards. UNESCO seeks to harness knowledge and technology and promote education for building effective capacities to foster preparedness and reduce vulnerability to natural hazards.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes and reaffirms the urgent need to reduce the risk of disasters. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is an integral part of social and economic development and is essential to ensure the sustainability of future development.
UNESCO provides intergovernmental coordination, advice to governments, and policy support for establishing and operating sustainability projects through integrated approaches and synergies between natural sciences, social sciences, culture, education, and information systems. These interdisciplinary platforms lay the foundation to manage disaster risk through sustainability.
Framework Convention on Climate Change
Climate change is a critical global issue that goes beyond national borders. Its complexities require a holistic approach, which UNESCO provides though its longstanding expertise combining science, education, culture, and communication and information. UNESCO projects and initiatives support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by providing scientific knowledge on climate mitigation and adaptation, integrating climate change issues into education systems, promoting local and indigenous knowledge in global climate science and policy processes, and empowering youth to participate. These continuous actions aim to strengthen countries’ and partners’ efforts to reduce climate and disaster risks.
Convention on Biological Diversity
While biodiversity and ecosystems are vulnerable to climate change, the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the restoration of ecosystems can play a significant role in climate-change mitigation and adaptation, as well as in disaster risk reduction.
As the only United Nations organization with a mandate for education, sciences and culture, UNESCO develops and coordinates global standards and programmes with an approach linking nature and culture to converse biodiversity and use it sustainably as part of its disaster risk reduction efforts. The Organization manages the frameworks and designation mechanisms of three types of internationally designated areas: World Heritage properties, biosphere reserves and UNESCO Global Geoparks. UNESCO also acts as the legal depositary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, and supports numerous research programmes and networks to find solutions and share knowledge.
New Urban Agenda
Globally, it is estimated that 80 % of the world’s largest cities are currently vulnerable to severe impacts from earthquakes and 60 % are at risk from storm surges and tsunamis, making disaster risk preparedness a key element of sustainable urbanization.
UNESCO promotes joint multi-stakeholder strategies to enhance disaster education and awareness, and to lead risk reduction actions in the built environment. As part of its efforts, UNESCO stimulates regional partnerships and networks dedicated to collecting and disseminating relevant information and knowledge on hazards, vulnerabilities, and risk mitigation capacities. These actions are aimed at strengthening the resilience of the built environment and creating a culture of safety for everyone.
