EU Statement by Commissioner Lenarčič – UN General Assembly: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

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EU Statement by Commissioner Lenarčič - UN General Assembly: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

18.05.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

18 May 2023, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Mr. Janez Lenarčič, European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management, at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

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Dear excellencies, dear delegates,

The Candidate Countries Türkiye, North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, the potential candidate country Georgia, as well as Andorra, align themselves with this statement.

We meet at a time of more dangers than ever before. The risk landscape has changed profoundly since the launch of this Framework in 2015. The list is long, and - despite our best efforts - it is growing.

The fragilities exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Disastrous impacts of the climate crisis, including more intense and frequent extreme weather events. Man-made disasters and conflicts alongside natural disasters like earthquakes. These are huge challenges - and we must rise to them.

That is why it is so important to be here today for the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework.

On behalf of the European Union and its Member States, we would like to thank the Secretary General, the President of the General Assembly, and the Special Representative and Head of UNDRR for this opportunity for reflection and recommitment.

So: what have we accomplished by placing resilience at the centre of our policymaking?

Firstly: we have faced the climate crisis head-on. Under the framework of the European Green Deal, we have adopted initiatives to scale-up climate change mitigation and adaptation, strengthen biodiversity protections and tackle pollution.

Secondly: we have planned ahead. By developing our strategic foresight capacities we can better anticipate trends, potential risks and opportunities.

Thirdly: we have become more prepared. By strengthening the Union Civil Protection Mechanism we have improved our disaster risk management and showing EU solidarity at its best.

And these actions aren't limited to Europe. We have stepped up our cooperation with partner countries in the area of disaster risk reduction, saving lives across the world.

But this is not enough. As we reflect here today on the road ahead, we know we must do more.

The world is not on track to achieve the objectives of the Sendai Framework. Today, as we look towards 2030, we must use this moment to recommit our energies and spare no effort in reaching our goals.

The EU is working hard to make this happen. Let me share with you just four of the ways we are doing this.

One: disaster resilience. We are strengthening our resilience in Europe thanks to the adoption with our Member States of a new European disaster resilience agenda and of five Disaster Resilience Goals. These goals will also guide our policy dialogue with partner countries, improving resilience worldwide.

Two: disaster preparedness. We will strengthen preparedness for all, including the most vulnerable countries. We will contribute to the Secretary-General's Early Warning for All Initiative, with several EU member states announcing new commitments to initiatives such as CREWS^[1]and SOFF^[2]. Robust early warnings will enable us to scale-up anticipatory and early action.

Three: funding. We will continue to increase funding for adaptation and climate resilience, with a focus on the most vulnerable countries and on building back better. We look forward to engaging constructively in the implementation of the new funding arrangements responding to loss and damage, including through climate and disaster risk finance and insurance mechanisms. This way we will strengthen our response to the risks of loss and damage driven by the climate crisis in these countries.

Four: cooperation. By strengthening the synergies between development, climate and humanitarian assistance, as well as better management of natural resources we can address the root causes of disasters. This is key to building community-level resilience and ensuring no one is left behind.

We must ensure the Framework is implemented in coherence with other respective agendas. And we must work together further to tackle displacement and migration related to disasters, with a focus on prevention, resilience and adaptation.

We have come so far, but there is still such a long way to go.

We cannot prevent all disasters. That is why we must prepare for the worst whilst aiming for the best. Because this Framework is so much more than a set of targets. It means a better, safer and more resilient future for people across the world.

Together, we can achieve this. Together, we must achieve this.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia. Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

[1]Climate Risk & Early Warning Systems. CREWS is a mechanism that funds Least Developed Countries (LDC) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) for risk informed early warning systems.

[2]Systematic Observations Financing Facility. A new UN-led financing tool to strengthen weather and climate forecasting, improve life-saving early warning systems, safeguard jobs, and underpin climate adaptation for long-term resilience.