Countries identify actions to build resilient and sustainable development in the face of disasters and climate change in Asia
Countries identify actions to build resilient and sustainable development in the face of disasters and climate change in Asia
27 Nov 2015
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Release
The increasing intensity and frequency of cyclones,
flooding and drought have severely impacted the environment,
livelihoods and food security in Asia-Pacific. Extreme weather events
and other natural disasters in the region affect more than 163 million
people and cause economic losses worth of 23 billion USD each year.
Governments and experts in disaster risk reduction from 13 countries
gather this week in Bangkok ahead of the Paris UN climate conference to
identify ways for enhancing resilience to climate-induced disasters in
the region.
“The impact of disasters and climate change is most
evident in vulnerable communities that rely on agriculture and natural
resources for their livelihood,” says Shane Wright, Executive Director
of Asian Disaster Preparedness Center. “For building sustainable
development, it is critical to ensure the resilience of these sectors to
the changing climate,” Wright adds.
From 26 to 28 November, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center and Oxfam host the Pan-Asian
Regional Policy Forum on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and
Integration of Climate Change Adaptation into the Environment,
Livelihood and Food Security Sectors. While identifying actions to
ensure risk-informed decision making in the Asia-Pacific, the forum also
prepares recommendations for the climate change conference in Paris
next month.
Livelihoods in Asia are largely dependent on
agriculture – particularly on rice farming, fisheries, and livestock.
Stakeholders at the forum stress that protecting natural resources from
the impacts of climate change and natural disasters is crucial for
guaranteeing that these critical resources continue to be available for
future generations.
“Only by integrating disaster risk reduction
and climate change adaptation into development planning and governance,
can we ensure sustainable development in the region as well as the
communities’ ability to bounce back after disasters,” Shane Wright
states.
The policy forum builds on the recently adopted
Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction, which aims to substantially reduce disaster risk over the
next 15 years. In 2016, governments will translate global commitments
into national and local action plans leading to a critical time for a
multi-stakeholder dialogue and regional collaboration to build
resilience, save lives and protect livelihoods from the impact of
natural disasters.
“Only by integrating disaster risk reduction
and climate change adaptation into development planning and governance,
can we ensure sustainable development in the region as well as the
communities’ ability to bounce back after disasters,” Shane Wright, Executive Director of ADPC, stated.
Governments and experts in disaster risk reduction from 13 countries
gather this week in Bangkok ahead of the Paris UN climate conference to
identify ways for enhancing resilience to climate-induced disasters in
the region.