13 & 21 July 2021 | UCLG ASPAC continues its commitment to support cities particularly in disaster risk reduction. To support further development of the Asia-Pacific Action Plan 2021-2024 for successful implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2030, UCLG ASPAC engaged stakeholder groups and gathered their inputs on the zero draft of the plan through virtual consultations and a survey. The consultation aimed at ensuring inclusion of priority actions identified by key stakeholder groups including local authorities. The consultation meetings involved the Asia-Pacific Local Governments Coordinating Bodies (APLG) members and partners, such UNHABITAT, UNESCAP, UCLG-MEWA and individual and association of local governments including Makati City, Vigan, Banda Aceh and All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG).
Dr. Bernadia I. Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, opened and facilitated the two-organised consultation meetings emphasising the importance of gathering inputs regarding the draft as we are all responsible for implementing the draft action plan.
The action plan is divided into three scales: Regional Scale, National Scale, and Local Scale. This is the reason this consultation meeting also engaged with not only local governments, but also non-state bodies in civil society.
Main points raised in the meetings included:
- The action plan should consider multiple actions that are overlapping between priorities. There is a need to consider having ‘cross-cutting actions’,
- It is suggested to also take notes on the innovative actions taken by several countries (e.g., Disaster Insurance for Buildings, DRR-sensitive land-use/zoning/city planning, etc.),
- The action plan should also ensure the cascading actions from regional to national to local (vertical integration) to have a holistic approach on the DRR and Resilience efforts,
- It is suggested to ensure government commitments (through declaration, regulation, etc.) for implementation,
- It is suggested to set annual goals that can progress over the years.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2030 was adopted in 2015 and the national governments and partners in the Asia-Pacific region agreed to implement the two-year Action Plan for Implementation (2018-2020). The Asia Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework 2015-2030 outlined a long-term roadmap of priorities to achieve seven global targets and a two-year Action Plan (2018-2020) with specific prioritised activities to work towards these goals. The Asia-Pacific Action Plan 2021-2024 is continuation of the two-year Action Plan.
UCLG ASPAC has been leading the Local Authorities Stakeholder Group in Asia-Pacific region. In coordination with UN DRR, it produced the ‘Statement of Action of Mayors and Local Government Authorities,’ commitment of local leaders in implementing Sendai Framework, in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Mongolia, 2018 and New Delhi in 2016. UCLG ASPAC is also actively involved in the Making Cities Resilience (MCR) 2030 of UNDRR. Cities are encouraged to join the MCR 2030. For more information, click: Join: Expression of Interest Partner | Making Cities Resilient 2030 (undrr.org)
