Introductory Note
Governments around the world have committed to take action to reduce disaster risk, and have adopted a guideline to reduce vulnerabilities to natural hazards, called the Hyogo Framework for Action (Hyogo Framework). The Hyogo Framework assists the efforts of nations and communities to become more resilient to, and cope better with the hazards that threaten their development gains.

The implementation of and follow-up to the strategic goals and priorities for action set out in this Framework for Action are addressed by different stakeholders in a multisectorial approach, including the development sector. The ISDR system, mainly trough the Resident Coordinator system and the UN Country teams, can play a catalytic and advocacy role by strengthening national capacities to reduce disaster risk at the national level, in particular,  in support to the establishment and strengthening national platforms for disaster risk reduction.

Strengthened ISDR System
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) supports a strengthened International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, which allows a greater oversight and ownership of the strategy by its members. This proposal was developed based on recommendations from a number of studies and evaluations on the work of the ISDR secretariat, as well as consultations on the functioning of the international system for disaster risk reduction, its current capacities and potentials, noting the overriding importance of effective action at national and local scales for achieving risk reduction and sustainable development globally. The strengthening of the system was necessary following the renewed political commitment from the 168 countries participating in the WCDR.

The main elements of the strengthened ISDR system, are:

A global forum called the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP/DRR) with participation of Governments in addition to UN agencies, regional organizations and civil society, with a particular role to advise on and commit to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework. A Management Oversight Board (MOB) with the function to provide advice on strategic, managerial and resource mobilization related issues to the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs in his functions as leader of the ISDR international system, with a representative from the UN Development Group, as vice-chair. National platforms for disaster risk reduction defined by Governments in each country, with designated responsibility as national forums for coordination and follow-up for Hyogo Framework implementation and with appropriate links to the UN Country Teams, where applicable. Regional networks or coordination platforms for disaster reduction cooperation at regional and sub-regional level, including inter-agency task forces and networks of national platforms, for coordination and mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction in regional settings, and for advocacy and information networking. Thematic platforms or networks of expertise in support of priority areas identified in the Hyogo Framework led or supported by the Global Platform (Scientific panel/s- to be developed).

The ISDR secretariat remains as an independent entity within the United Nations Secretariat, with a line of accountability to the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, to serve as “honest broker”, catalyst and main focal point within the UN system on disaster risk reduction issues, to continue to promote ownership and commitment to disaster risk reduction with national, regional and international constituencies and report on progress.