The President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, speaking at today's opening ceremony for the 6th Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas
By Richard Waddington
CARTAGENA, 20 June, 2018 - Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos urged the Americas to work closely together to manage the risks the region’s countries face from disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, and to build resilience in local communities most exposed to them.
Opening the three-day Vl Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas in the historic port city of Cartagena, President Santos said the meeting provided an “amazing opportunity” to share tools and ideas.
“Working together we will achieve more, we will be able to respond better.” he declared.
Over a thousand representatives of governments, civil society and the private sector will examine the increasing impact of extreme weather events and climate change, including the devastating 2017 hurricane season in the Caribbean.
They will discuss progress towards complying with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the global plan for reducing disaster losses adopted in 2015, with particular emphasis on prevention and managing the risks which trigger disasters.
Special Representative of the UN General-Secretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mami Mizutori emphasized the importance of both national and local approaches.
“The key to saving lives in potential disaster zones lies in the execution of national and local strategies for disaster risk reduction and this must include well-rehearsed and well-understood protocols for issuing early warnings and ensuring they are acted on.” she said.
Governments across the region have stepped up efforts towards disaster risk reduction. But the risks are rising, with climate change an important factor.
As the conference opened, Guatemala was still grappling with the aftermath of the deadly June 3 eruption of the Fuego volcano, which buried nearby villages under tonnes of ash and volcanic rock, possibly killing hundreds of people. The meeting observed one minute’s silence in honour of the victims.
“The death toll and the fact that the lives of over one million people have been affected is a further demonstration of why this region is so committed to implementing the Sendai Framework.” Mizutori said.