Second Preparatory Committee Meeting for the

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

[17-18 November 2014, Geneva]

Statement by the Leader of the Indian Delegation

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

1. It is an honour to participate in the second Preparatory Committee meeting. I wish to thank the Co-Chairs for their tireless efforts and assure themof my delegation’s support in their efforts to conclude the discussions at an early date. I also wish to thank Mrs. Margareta Wahlstrom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR and her able team for providing technical and logistical support to the delegations.

 2. India is prone to frequent natural hazards particularly cyclones, floods, earthquakes and landslides. In order to streamline disaster related preparedness and responseand also to shift from a relief centric approach to a more holistic one, India established a National Disaster Management Authority under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister in 2005, and also Disaster Management Authorities at the State and District levels. In addition, National Disaster Response Force and National Institute of Disaster Management were also set up. A National Disaster Management Policy was also announced in 2009.

3. India has decided to earmark 10% funds of all development schemes to be used for innovation, disaster mitigation and restoration. Our emphasis on innovation and use of advanced technologies in fields of forecasting and early warning system, coupled with other disaster risk reduction measures, have improved our ability toeffectively limit the negative impact of disasters and also to manage post-disaster situations.

4. The nature and timing of disasters differ from place to place, and so is the vulnerability and impact as a result ofthem. Non-availability of accurate and sufficient data poses challenge in assessment of timing and extent of impact from various types of disasters. The desire to define global and national level targets in DRR is a laudable one, but we need to temper our ambition with the reality on the ground, wherein developing countries, particularly LDCs,lack sufficient resources to fully meet those targets and indicators. As a result, our discussions must also seek ways to supplement national resources to achieve disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction in developing countries, in particular the LDCs.

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

5. We, therefore, believe that the post-2015 DRR framework should also focus on international cooperation and means of implementation of the Framework, for capacity building andavailability of appropriate technology in developing countries, in particular the LDCs.The international community, in particular the developed countries, should demonstrate its commitment by providing matching financial support to effectively realize the goals and objectives of the post-2015 DRR Framework. In the absence of reliable financing support, it would be unrealistic to expect many developing countries to take full advantage of the Post-2015 DRR framework.

6. Dear Co-Chairs, we are confident that under your able leadership the deliberations would conclude soonleading to a concise, focused, forward-looking and action-oriented Post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

I thank you.

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