Vietnam advocates Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
VOV.VN - As one of the countries most impacted by natural disasters and climate change, Vietnam always places importance on fulfilling global commitments relating to disaster risk reduction, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, has said.
Upon addressing a high-level meeting on the mid-term review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction 2015-2030, which was held in New York on May 18 and May 31, the Vietnamese diplomat stated that the nation advocates shifting from passive response to proactive prevention.
Therefore, the country prioritises the implementation of measures aimed at raising public awareness and maximizing domestic resources, as well as international support in a bid to improve disaster response capacity and ensure progress toward the Sendai Framework goals, he said.
The nation actively contributes to global and regional efforts which seek to mitigate disaster risks, which has been reflected in its Chairmanship of the ASEAN Disaster Management Committee in 2023, along with its deployment of search and rescue forces to help Turkey deal with the devastating twin quakes last February, the Ambassador went on.
He proposed three major solutions to push ahead with the implementation of the Sendai Framework moving forward, outlining that disaster risk reduction should be put at the centre of socio-economic development strategies and policies to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with adequate investment being made in disaster risk management and prevention infrastructure ensured.
He also suggested strengthening global and regional partnerships in disaster risk reduction, especially with regards to information and technology sharing, as well as towards building centres of data and early warning of disasters at all levels.
At the same time, it can be considered necessary to improve current multilateral mechanisms to effectively respond to disasters, especially in the cases where natural and man-made disasters occur simultaneously, he said.
The meeting, which brought together representatives from 192 UN member states and international organisations, adopted a political declaration to renew commitments and accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
As part of her remarks at the function, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stated that global progress towards disaster risk management has been weak and insufficient.
Given this, she called for enhancing multilateral co-operation to raise self-resilience and recovery capacity by improving the awareness of disaster risks. This should be done whilst seeking to upgrade administrative and financial systems at both national and international levels, along with shifting from disaster management to risk management with a focus on prevention.