Mexico to lead global effort to reduce economic losses from disasters

GENEVA, 6 May 2016 - Mexico, as host country, will encourage the 2017 Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction to focus on reducing economic losses from disasters, it emerged today.

In the context of the 30th anniversary of the National Civil Protection System, the Mexican President Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, met today with the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, a global plan to reduce disaster losses adopted last year.

In their meeting, President Peña Nieto made reference to the fact that economic losses from disasters are a serious brake on sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. Many countries are struggling to cope with recurring losses, particularly those who are bearing the brunt of climate change and experiencing extreme weather events which destroy critical infrastructure, disrupt agriculture and lead to population movements and loss of livelihoods.

Mr. Glasser commented: “This is a critical issue when enormous sums are expected to flow into urban development in the coming decades. Some 60% of the area expected to be urbanized by 2030 remains to be built. The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction which will take place in Cancun in May, 2017, is an opportunity to gain commitment to risk-sensitive urban development.”

“Since the 1985 earthquake Mexico has emerged as a leader in disaster risk management not only through the creation of the National Civil Protection System but also through many other innovations including a national risk atlas, early warning systems and a safe schools and hospitals programme.”