29th May 2017 The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction closed today 26 May 2017 with a call for accelerated efforts to ensure all countries systematically account for disaster losses by 2020, the deadline set out in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The focus of the Global Platform and dialogue was on moving from commitment to action and ensuring coherence across implementation of the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and other elements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
About 4,000 participants and delegations from over 180 countries attended this 5th edition of the Global Platform, which was held at the Moon Palace Arena, Cancun, State of Mexico.
The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga were represented by a team of Senior Government and Non Government Organisation Officials led by Mr. Leveni ‘Aho, Director for the National Emergency Management Office, H. E Mr. Mahe’uli’uli Tuponiua- Ambassador of Tonga to the United Nations, Mr. Ofa Fa’anunu, Director of Meteorology Service, Ms. Na’a Taiala- Programme Manager of Tonga Community Development Trust, Ms. Saane Patolo- National Coordinator BRSP and Ms. ‘Ofa Kaisamy- Principal Legal Adviser of MEIDECC.
Mr. ‘Aho in his statement, stressed that the Tonga Government is committed to the effective implementation of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and other elements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Tonga also higlighted, that it has downscaled its commitments to building resilience to disasters, through dedicated national efforts towards mainstreaming of disaster resilience into both Government and Community development plans (CDPs), and ensuring their implementations.
The Tonga team also participated in different side events during the course of the meeting. Mr. Faanunu presented at both the Small Island States Resilience Session and the WMO/UNESCO MHEWS Conference on coordination and mainstreaming climate and disaster resilience – forming the super Ministry of MEIDECC and dealing with Geo-hazard and cyclone early warning and preparedness. Ms. ‘Ofa Kaisamy presented at the Global Network on Disaster Resilience- GNDR on disaster and climate change coordination framework in Tonga and Ms. Saane Ake participated in the ignite stage on the implementation of the Framework for Disaster Resilience in the Pacific (FRDP) at the local level.
In summary, the Chair of the Global Platform called on countries for improved support for the preparation of national disaster loss databases; early warning systems for least developed countries; empowerment of local authorities to manage disaster risk; application of disaster risk management to overall economic planning; and the empowerment of women in leadership on disaster risk management.
The Tonga delegation will return later in the week.
ENDS
Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications