The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Headquartered in Geneva, UNDRR is the UN focal point for disaster risk reduction (DRR). It convenes and coordinates risk reduction activities towards a more resilient future, protecting gains made towards the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDRR oversees the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030, supporting countries with its implementation, monitoring and sharing what works in reducing existing risk of disaster and preventing the creation of new risk.

The Sendai Framework

The Sendai Framework recognizes that States have the primary role to reduce disaster risk. But that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders, including local governments which are formally acknowledged therein. Mayors had actually mobilized during the 2015 UN World Conference on DRR to influence the content of the Sendai Framework and adopted a Declaration of Local and Subnational Governments, coordinated by two international city networks (ICLEI and UCLG).

Making Cities Resilient 2030

Given that more and more disasters hit cities, UNDRR and other partners have been engaging them through the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative. It strives to ensure cities become inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by 2030, contributing directly to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11 and other global frameworks (Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement, New Urban Agenda). MCR2030 is a unique cross-stakeholder initiative for improving local resilience. It does it through:

• advocacy
• sharing knowledge and experiences
• establishing mutually reinforcing city-to-city learning networks
• injecting technical expertise
• connecting multiple layers of government
• building partnerships

Urban resilience

Strenghtening urban resilience is a key objective for UNDRR and Making Cities Resilient 2030.

• Inter-connected risk drivers are creating an urban landscape of multiple shocks, pressures, and increased vulnerabilities.
• Systems level crises are heavily impacting urban areas.
• Rapid urbanization has increased this exposure and vulnerability to disaster risk.
• There has been limited progress in the development of local disaster risk reduction strategies as well as access to quality data and reliable risk information.
• Significant gaps persist in terms of local capacities, inclusive and integrated risk reduction strategies as well as access to data and finance.

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) is convened every two years to review the progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction. At this multistakeholder forum, States, the UN system and all stakeholders get together to identify ways to further accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework. The outcomes are recognized by the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council as a contribution to the deliberations of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and thus, contributing to risk-informed implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Additional resources: 

• What is the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction?
• Implementing the Sendai Framework – working with local authorities
• Urban Heat resource package
• Urban Resilience policy brief

Contact persons:

• Mr Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of UNDRR Office in Incheon, Republic of Korea, bhatia1@un.org
• Ms Mutarika Pruksapong, Global Coordinator MCR2030, mutarika.pruksapong@un.org