More than 700 participants from over 0 countries are scheduled to meet at the Programme Forum which is convened by the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction Secretariat (IDNDR 1990-2000) in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Education and Science Organization (UNESCO). 

High level government representatives, policy makers at the national and local level, representatives of International Agencies and of Non Governmental Organizations, members of the scientific community, representatives of the media and of the private sector will gather at the Programme Forum to review IDNDR achievements in disaster reduction in the last ten years and identify the challenges for the 21st century. 

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan will inaugurate the Programme Forum on Monday 5 July at 15h00 at the International Conference Centre of Geneva (CICG). Discussions will focus on the scientific, socio-economic, development, environmental and educational aspects of disaster reduction in areas such as disasters and their impact on economy and trade; information technology and early warning systems process; vulnerability of eco-systems; empowerment of local communities; lessons from the last El Nino. A Sub-Forum convened by WMO and UNESCO from 6 to 8 July will cover mostly the scientific aspects of geophysical hazards, as well as hazards of meteorological and hydrological origin. In addition to the topical sessions reflecting the multidisciplinary and multi sectoral approach of disaster reduction, "success stories" will be presented every day and a Public Forum will be held every evening to express views and share experiences on public issues related to prevention of natural disasters. 

In 1998, more than 50,000 people lost their lives in natural disasters and economic losses amounted to US $ 93 billion according to Munich Re Reinsurance. Compared to the last ten years, the number of natural disasters in the 1990's have been multiplied by three, whilst economic losses, after adjustment for inflation, have increased nine times. Some countries lost up to 5% of their Gross National Product (GNP) to natural disasters, thereby hampering their capacity for development and investment. 

The world today is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the threat of natural hazards. Rapid growth brings with it increasing complexity, more extensive systems of infrastructure, denser populations and excessive demands on the immediate environment and essential natural resources. The issue therefore is to reduce our vulnerability to hazards so that they do not necessarily become disasters with large consequences. Disaster prone countries will not attain their goal of sustainable development if they do not control or reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards.

The challenge for the Programme Forum is to produce a strategy for action for the first years of the next century that will serve as a frame of reference at the international, regional, national and local level and in all disciplines, scientific, environmental, economic and social. Much work has already been done in regional and thematic meetings of IDNDR during the past two years. The strategy for action will be presented to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations for endorsement.

For more information, please consult the IDNDR web site (www.idndr.org) or contact Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo at the CICG on (41 22) 791 91 11.

Phone: + 92 42 6666404 - 6687827
 

 

 
E-mail: jrc@syberwurx.com