GP2022 talks in Bali window to speed up growth on disaster risk
Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is representing the nation at the 7th session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2022) in Bali, Indonesia.
The GP2022 will offer a chance for governments, the United Nation system and stakeholders to act and quicken development on disaster risk reduction. It will be hosted from May 23-28, 2022.
With the COVID-19 pandemic massively challenging the traditional understanding of risk and disaster risk governance, the GP2022 meeting will be a door of opportunity for many countries in attendance.
The meeting will be attended by more than 5000 participants from 193 countries.
ABOUT GP2022
The overall theme of GP2022 is ‘From Risk to Resilience: Towards Sustainable Development for All in a COVID-19 Transformed World’.
The meeting is organised and convened by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) at the
Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre.
The event is hosted by the government of Indonesia and will be cochaired by the government of Indonesia and UNDRR.
The meeting agenda will be guided by the Sendai Framework goal, priorities for action and targets.
GP2022 will explore how the global crisis can provide a pathway to making necessary changes needed to achieve the goal and targets of the Sendai Framework, as well as of the 2030 Agenda.
WHAT IS THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR DRR?
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction was created to navigate efforts on disaster risk reduction from 2015 to 2030.
It was adopted during the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which was held in Sendai, Japan, from March 14 -18, 2015.
WHERE DOES FIJI STAND?
Over the years, Fiji has dealt with category five cyclones, and its impacts have left devastating eco
THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK: PRIORITIES FOR ACTION
nomical cries. The WorldRiskIndex report shows the level of disaster risk for 181 countries, which covers almost 99 per cent of the world’s population.
According to WorldRiskIndex 2021, Fiji is ranked 14th among the countries with high disaster risk due to high exposure to extreme natural events and sea-level rise.
UNDRR Pacific Head, Gabrielle
Emery noted that small island developing states are well known for the most disaster-prone countries facing a range of different hazards.
These hazards include those that are climate-induced, geological shocks as illustrated by the recent events in Tonga, and as seen with the ongoing COVID outbreaks, the region is not immune to biological hazards.
“Six pacific countries, unceremoniously, made it to the top 20 of the most disaster-prone countries globally, according to last year’s World Risk Report,” Ms Emery said.
“Not only do disasters have a huge social impact, but they also have devastating economic effects.”
She said the report was developed by the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) to carry out extensive research on risks and adaptation in relation to environmental hazards and global change.
FIJI
Understanding disaster risk; Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience; and Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
In 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston hit our nation.
According to the World Bank estimates, TC Winston caused US$900 million worth of damages (roughly 33 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product).
It was the most powerful cyclone recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, with average wind speeds that reached 233km/hr and wind gusts peaked at around 306km/hr.
“Sadly, the reality is that many of these disaster events will become more extreme, and intensify in frequency and ferocity across the region,” Ms Emery said.
As part of the Pacific Risk Profile of Fiji, records show that the estimated value of disaster effects arising from TC Winston cost FJD$1.99 billion including FJD$1.29bn in damage (i.e. destroyed physical assets) and FJD$0.71bn in losses.
“However, it is not all doom and gloom – the choices and decisions we make will either make us more vulnerable to disasters or be more resilient. Disaster risk reduction – aimed at preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, contribute to strengthening resilience and the achievement of sustainable development.”
WHY IS GP2022 MEETING IMPORTANT?
Disasters often follow natural hazards hence the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) aims to reduce damages caused by natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, and cyclones through the framework of thorough prevention.
It has been seven years since the development of the Sendai Framework and more than two years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the shores of many countries.
The meeting comes at a crucial time as these crises have exposed the vulnerabilities and the impacts faced by communities around the globe.
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction will ensure a timely opportunity to showcase the importance of international cooperation and solidarity. It will also offer room for discussion in the Pacific and international region.