Sixth High-level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in the Americas and the Caribbean

Regional Context

The Americas and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. Between 2005 and 2023, the region experienced one out of four global disasters and accounted for approximately 58% of economic losses due to disasters of diverse origins. During this period, more than 80 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean were affected by disasters and climate change is already exacerbating this situation.

Additionally, the region faces socio-economic challenges such as economic and political crises, inequality, unplanned urbanization and environmental degradation, which increase vulnerability and losses associated with these events. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to significant economic downturns, increased unemployment, and strained public resources. Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which represent a significant number of Member States in the region, have been disproportionately affected by disasters, particularly those exacerbated by climate change. These factors underscore the urgent need to strengthen resilience and mitigate the adverse impacts of disasters in the region.

The Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, released in 2023, recognizes that the Americas and Caribbean region has made progress in promoting a multi-sectoral approach to DRR and in the development of policies and plans accordingly. Looking towards the second period of implementation of the Sendai Framework, this trend needs to be complemented by advancing investment and financing strategies that align DRR efforts with sustainable development and climate action. 

The Midterm Review calls for increased support from countries in the region in areas such as the integration of climate change with DRR, the use of fiscal instruments for DRR investment and the implementation of nature-based solutions. It emphasizes the promotion of capacities for interdisciplinary, integrated and multi-sectoral assessment and planning. Additionally, it prioritizes decision-making processes informed by risk and calls for enhanced support for the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and the Early Warnings for All initiative. Furthermore, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, calls for stronger global and regional action to support the special needs of these countries.
Addressing the wide range of regional challenges mentioned above necessitates enhanced interregional collaboration and the support of various multilateral agencies, especially those focused on climate change and DRR.

Progress Assessment on Regional Implementation of the Sendai Framework

The Regional Action Plan (RAP) for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean was first adopted by Member States during the Fifth Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas (March 7-9, 2017, Montreal, Canada). The RAP was reaffirmed by Member States at the Sixth Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas (June 20-22, 2018, Cartagena, Colombia) and adjusted during the Seventh Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean (November 1-4, 2021, hosted virtually by the Government of Jamaica). 

The political declaration adopted at the Eighth Regional Platform (February 28 – March 2, 2023, Punta del Este, Uruguay) emphasized the need to "make progress in and strengthen the support for the implementation of the RAP as a way to enhance the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in the region". During this Regional Platform, member States also called for the creation of a Voluntary Commission that would propose and establish a follow up mechanism to review the progress made by Member States in the implementation of the Regional Action Plan.

In response to the above-mentioned request reflected in the Punta del Este Declaration, a voluntary group of countries  is currently carrying out a process of revision to identify and examine effective mechanisms to assess the progress in the implementation of the RAP.  

High-Level Regional Meeting Towards the Global Platform 2025

The political declaration of the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 stated: "We look forward to the global and regional platforms for disaster risk reduction to be held before 2030 to assess and discuss progress on and give practical guidance to the implementation of the Sendai Framework, including on the implementation of the present political declaration". The Eight Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, to be held in 2025, will constitute an important milestone between the High-Level meeting on the midterm review of the Sendai Framework (May 2023) and the final five years before the Sendai Framework concludes.

The Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in the Americas and the Caribbean will take place between the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework and the Eight Session of Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. This High-Level Meeting will be held in Saint Kitts and Nevis, in parallel to CDEMA’s Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Conference. 
The meeting, to be held on the afternoon of December 5th, will bring together Ministers and High-Level Authorities from member States throughout the region to discuss progress made in the regional implementation of the Sendai Framework and prepare the region towards the Eight Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. It will be preceded by a high-level and multi-stakeholder forum on Early Warning for All (EW4All) that will take place during the morning. Both, the Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the first Americas and the Caribbean EW4All High-Level and Multistakeholder Annual Forum will be carried out in a hybrid format to allow for maximum participation.

Main objectives

1. Adoption of the Regional Mechanism for the Review of Progress on the Implementation of the RAP, proposed by the Voluntary Commission.
2. Acknowledgment and discussion on the results and recommendations, brought forward by the Voluntary Commission, on the status of implementation of the RAP since the last Regional Platform (March 2023).
3. Definition of priorities for the region as an input to the preparation of the eighth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (2-6 June, 2025).  

Secondary objectives

1. Reaffirm support to the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island States – A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity (2024-2034).
2. Promote strategic initiatives in the region such as the Gender Action Plan, the outcomes of the first annual regional EW4All Multistakeholder Forum (MSF) and the publication of the RAR24.

Results

1. Outcome document of the Sixth High-Level Meeting of Ministers and Authorities on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, to be presented at the Global Platform 2025.
2. Adoption of the Regional Mechanism for the Assessment of Progress on the Implementation of the RAP.