In the final statement of the Ministerial Conference of Asia and the Pacific on Disaster Risk Reduction, which was held from September 19-22, the signatories agreed on the importance of the Sendai Framework as a guide to achieving encouraging results as a facilitator of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

They expressed concern over the dangerous disaster trends and their impact on less developed countries, so they urged the scientific community, academia, civil society and the private sector to join the governments to increase communities’ resilience.

A more holistic approach based on science, technology, and innovation is needed, together with local, indigenous, and traditional knowledge and experiences, they stressed.

They also called to eradicate systemic discrimination and inequality as they consider them barriers to work in favor of the protection of the population.

In this regard, they highlighted the need for transforming and inclusive work based on human rights to promote and support the participation and leadership of women, youths, people with disabilities, LGBTQT+ individuals, ethnic minorities, and senior citizens.

Participants called on governments to ensure the inclusion of capacities, social media, all people’s knowledge, and resources in the planning, decision-making and the implementation of risk reduction initiatives.

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