Around 25 participants from the private sector, development agencies, and technical experts shared their insights and case studies. A lack of access or utilization of financial instruments, including insurance, was cited as a problem in many countries, including developed countries.

Another common theme was the need to help small businesses become more active in building their own resilience. Recommendations included increasing their awareness of their vulnerability, connecting them with other small enterprises based on geography or sector, and offering them advice that is simple and actionable.

Participants also recommended to develop resilience standards and benchmarks for small businesses and use them to incentive their owners to invest in resilience building. UNDRR announced the launch of a global survey on small and medium enterprises that will result in a publication in 2020.

The recommendations articulated in the consultation will help shape the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which will be convened by UNDRR in 2020 and hosted by the Government of Australia. Increasing investment in resilience is a key pillar of the conference which will result in a political declaration and action plan.

Date:

11 Dec 2019

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNDRR AP)

Themes:

Private Sector, Recovery

Regions:

Asia