First regional orientation and consultation on the 2018 Strategic Approach to Capacity Development for Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Americas Regional Platform

Background

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 has set ambitious targets. At varying levels, Member States, will require support in their efforts to implement the Sendai Framework and achieve its target of preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk and to strengthen resilience. One of the areas that Member States have identified where technical support is required is in building the capacity of institutions and professionals dealing with the implementation of the Sendai Framework at the national and local level.

To fulfil this expectation, a paradigm shift in the approach to capacity development will be required. Current approaches to capacity development will require rationalization to bring coherence in the work done by a variety of actors, including United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, state-led and private sector stakeholders.

The formulation of a Global Strategic Approach to Capacity Development to support the Implementation of the Sendai Framework will allow partners to work together in a complementary way to ensure capacity development programmes lead to sustainable capacities in the Member States with the aim of reducing disaster losses and strengthen resilience, including within the Americas region and sub-regions.

Furthermore, expert consultations on the zero draft strategy have called for participation of Member States and regional inter-governmental organizations to be engaged in the roll out of the strategy. It was strongly suggested to have a global strategy/strategic approach with tailored regional packages facilitated by regional inter-governmental organizations for the regional context. Several Member States and other stakeholders volunteered to test the principles of the strategy in their work, and report back the feedback.

Thus, participation of Member States, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations, other key regional bodies, and all stakeholders from the Americas will benefit from identifying any additional region-specific needs, sharing existing mechanisms for partnership, and learning how piloting the strategy may strengthen coherent capacity development approaches for all within the region.

This 90-minute session will be open to all participants and aim to help in alignment of the Action Areas for Capacity Development in Disaster Risk Reduction (Section 3) with the regional context.

The session will explore mechanisms at the regional level to anchor the theme of capacity development for disaster risk reduction.

Objectives of the Strategic Approach

The formulation of the global strategic approach to capacity help to:

• Provide a common understanding of capacity development needs within the disaster risk reduction context established under the Sendai Framework.
• Identify the most pressing challenges to and gaps in capacity development encountered in implementation of the Sendai Framework.
• Define key priorities, minimum standards, and basic principles for sustainable and effective capacity development.
• Agree on the most appropriate approaches to address the needs and gaps.
• Agree on the way forward and forge partnerships to tailor capacity development work based on the principles and priorities articulated in the strategy.

Objectives of the Orientation and Consultation

The objectives of include:

• Conduct an orientation of all the elements of the 2018 Strategic Approach to Capacity Development for Implementation of the Sendai Framework
• Discuss key elements in action areas for capacity development in disaster risk reduction (Section 3) and regional mechanisms for anchoring the needs of capacity development for DRR and flagging consideration by policy makers and partners (Section 5)
• Identify key regional partnerships for establishing mechanisms for coordination of capacity development for disaster risk reduction
• Engage with key regional partners to promote coordinated action
• Agreement for common action, and follow up, from the participants

Expected Outcomes 

• Alignment of action areas (in section 3) according to the regional context
• Regional partner and stakeholder involvement in validation of the strategy
• Key potential implementation partners identified, for the region
• Mechanisms to manage the existing and potential future partnerships for coordinated action, implementation, and monitoring of the strategy suggested
• General commitment for common action secured
• Commitment of support for implementing the next steps in the region, including establishing mechanisms for coordination of the partnerships secured