Mexico and the UN sign a Disaster Risk Reduction agreement in preparation for a global event to be held in Cancun

By UNDRR – The Americas

Mexico City, Mexico, 30 April, 2017 - The United Mexican States, through its Ministry of the Interior, and the United Nations, through its United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), signed a Collaboration Agreement in the framework of the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, to be held in Cancún, Quintana Roo; this upcoming May 22nd - 26th.

The Agreement highlights the importance of the Global Platform as an opportunity to form new alliances among the countries to promote; policies, programmes and investments, across the five continents, so as to contribute to the agenda of sustainable development 2030, through strengthening resilience and disaster risk reduction at all levels, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

The document was signed by Secretary of the Interior (SEGOB) Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong and United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR, Robert Glasser.

The head of the SEGOB reported that through this Agreement, Mexico endorses its commitment to the countries attending to the Global Platform, so that, derived from the works carried out in it, they have the best tools in the matter of disaster risk reduction.

He also emphasized that this Global Platform will be the fifth time in 10 years in which governments from various countries, as well as representatives of civil and scientific society will meet to discuss, propose and generate actions across the globe that will reduce human, social and economic losses caused by natural and anthropogenic phenomena.

Osorio Chong also pointed out that the Government of Mexico, in collaboration with UNDRR, will host the 2017 Global Platform, which will be held for the first time outside its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. He added that more than 5,500 representatives of various sectors from 182 countries have confirmed their participation to date, as well as 86 official delegations composed of heads of state, ministers and/or high level authorities.

Meanwhile, Robert Glasser highlighted that Mexico was chosen as the venue due to its leadership, innovation and experience in the area of ​​integrated disaster risk management, as well as timely attention to emergencies, which has been demonstrated in experiences such as Hurricane Patricia In 2015 or in technological innovations such as the National Communications Center (CENACOM).

The Head of UNDRR added that the Platform to be held in Mexico is of utmost relevance to the world, as it is the first one to be held after the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030; the Platform will also be held during a critical time worldwide, as countries are currently facing major challenges in the face of disaster risk and climate change.

During his mission to Mexico, Robert Glasser also served as the speaker at the first meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin American and Caribbean on Sustainable Development, organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), which concluded this past Friday, April 28th in Mexico City.

Related links:

UNDRR – The Americas

SEGOB