“We remain optimistic when we recall that our expectations can indeed be met, through strengthened and intensified coordination and policy dialogue,” he added.
The ACP comprises 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 16 in the Caribbean and 15 in the Pacific. Apart from Cuba, all of its members are signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, a partnership with the European Union.
Ambassador Ognimba underlined the opportunities provided by the Cotonou Agreement and emphasized its foundation for collaboration with the EU, ACP regional institutions and the UN organisations, regarding issues related to the understanding of natural disaster risks; the adoption of strategies to enhance the process of risk assessment and identification; the promotion of capacity building and mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction; the development of policies to promote initiatives of risk transfer, and post disaster recovery and long-term reconstruction in Member States.
In the wake of the meeting, Mr. Robert Glasser, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of UNISDR, underlined the critically important role of international partnerships, and UNISDR’s commitment to further consolidate this process.
“The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted by the international community in 2015, makes this crystal clear,” he said. “By working together, we can achieve enhanced resilience to hazards affecting populations around the world, and help prevent them from spiralling into disasters.”
At the 25th May 2017 meeting, Ministers from the three ACP regions, shared challenges and experiences in Disaster Risk Reduction efforts funded through the European Development Fund. The speakers were H.E. Mr. Max Rudolph Saint Albin, Minister of Interior, Haiti; H.E. Mr. Samuel Eaney Manetoali, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology, Solomon Islands; and H.E. Mr. Hussein Mar Nyuot, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Republic of South Sudan.