Bali, Indonesia, May 27, 2022 /CNW/ – The Honorable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council and Minister for Civil Protection, has just concluded a successful conference at the seventh session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2022). Given the significance of emergency events since the last global platform in 2019, discussions focused on lessons learned from COVID-19 and the way forward to prepare for and adapt to the increase in natural disasters and extreme weather events as a result of climate change.
Canada officially advances the Sendai framework through the Emergency management strategy for Canada: Towards a resilient 2030 that will help improve our understanding of disaster risk, strengthen our emergency response framework and build evidence for targeted investments in disaster risk reduction (DRR).
At the global platform, we highlighted the interconnected approach we are taking to climate change adaptation by Canada, including updates on the development of our first-ever National Adaptation Strategy and National Risk Profile, which will improve disaster risk preparedness and inform planning alongside Canadian emergency management partners. Based on the theme, Moving from risk to resilienceWe also highlighted key investments that will improve emergency response, including through the Humanitarian Workforce Program, which will help strengthen our ability to respond to requests for federal assistance from provinces and territories.
Central to this work is partnership with all sectors, both in Canada and around the world. We continue to pursue a collaborative, whole-of-society approach to DRR. Minister Blair highlighted some of the innovative ways Canada collaborates with partners across the country, including working through the BC-Canada Joint Committee to address extreme weather and climate resilience following severe flooding in British Columbia in November last year.
Minister Blair participated in two ministerial roundtables as well as plenary sessions and high-level dialogues. He joined Valerie Nkamgang Bemo, Deputy Director of Emergency Response, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; dr. mike ryan Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Jagar Chapagain, Secretary General, International Federation of the Red Cross; Thembisile Nkadimeng, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South Africa; and Pratima GurungHimalaya and National Indigenous Disabled Women Association Nepal (NIDWAN) as a panelist during a session titled: Learning from COVID-19: Social and economic recovery for all.
He also met Major General Suharyanto, Head of the Indonesian National Disaster Management Authority, where they exchanged thoughts on DRR and emergency management priorities. This is a pivotal year between the two countries, because Canada and Indonesia celebrate 70 years of bilateral relations. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship under the recently signed Canada-Indonesia Action Plan. This action plan includes exploring opportunities for collaboration in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Understand that South East Asia is heavily affected by natural disasters, Minister Blair spoke with HE Dato Lim Jock HoiSecretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Lee Yam MingExecutive Director of the ASEAN Coordination Center for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), to discuss emergency management priorities in the region and how from Canada recent support from $2 million can further strengthen the capacity of the AHA Center to respond to emergencies. Canada is committed to ASEAN and its ability to promote stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, as we celebrate 45 years of partnership this year.
Disaster risk reduction and its integral part of emergency management were at the heart of discussions with the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdullah Shahid. The meeting with Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, was an opportunity to look back on the success of the week’s dialogues and to reiterate from Canada commitment to moving towards global resilience. Conversations on the importance of gender equality and women’s leadership in DRR planning and emergency management were at the center of discussions with Sarah KnibbsUN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, and his meeting with the South African Head of Delegation, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembisile Nkadimeng, was an opportunity to discuss common priorities in terms of disaster risk reduction. disaster and emergency management for our two countries.
Minister Blair also met with heads of delegation from Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, France, South Africathe UKand United States on the sidelines of the conference. These conversations focused on shared disaster risk reduction priorities and opportunities for collaboration.
As we close this year’s Global Platform, it is clear that the momentum of our global efforts to move from risk to resilience is gathering momentum as we approach halfway through our commitments under the Framework. of Sendai for Disaster Risk Reduction. This week’s meetings were also an important opportunity to take stock of progress to date and begin planning for the future of DRR. The government of Canada looks forward to fully engaging in the upcoming Sendai Framework mid-term review.
Quotation
“The Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction provided a forum for thoughtful discussion on how we prepare for and respond to emergencies around the world. It was also an opportunity to strengthen our international partnerships, discuss how we can build resilience in the face of increasing climate disasters, and recognize how different communities, including women and indigenous peoples, are affected by these events, and how their experiences are invaluable as we learn to adapt and build resilience to tackle these global issues together.”
– The Honorable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Civil Protection
Fast facts
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The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is a multi-stakeholder forum organized and convened by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). It was held from May 23-28, 2022 in Bali, Indonesia and co-chaired by the Indonesian government and UNDRR.
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The theme of GP2022 is “From Risk to Resilience: Towards Sustainable Development for All in a World Transformed by COVID-19”.
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With over 50 sessions planned, more than 5,000 global attendees took part in GP2022.
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Canada is formally advancing the Sendai Framework through the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Towards a Resilient 2030, which is helping to improve our understanding of disaster risk, strengthen our governance mechanisms and gather feedback. evidence for targeted investments in disaster risk reduction. Work under this strategy will help improve disaster preparedness to mitigate impacts and equip us for a more effective response.
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On May 16, 2022, the Government of Canada launched public consultations on the National Adaptation Strategy. Disaster risk reduction is an integral part of the strategy which will set targets, identify gaps, identify areas for investment needed and help make communities safer and better prepared to support a more stable and resilient economy.
Related links
SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2022/27/c6521.html