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Ministers and Heads of Delegations of the
countries of Asia and the Pacific attended the Second Asian
Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi
on 7-8 November 2007. A high ranking delegation from The Islamic
Republic of Iran, headed by the Minister of Interior, Mr.
Mostafa PourMohammadi also participated in the Conference.
The main focus of the many presentations
made by Heads of various delegations was mainly on recalling
the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 i.e building the
resilience of Nations and Communities to disasters and
recalling the Beijing Action for Disaster Risk Reduction in
Asian 2005 to enhance regional cooperation in the implementation
of the Hyogo Framework for Action. There was a general awareness
of threats of disasters due to unsustainable developments and
recognition for the urgency of substantially reducing loss of
lives, and environmental assets of communities and countries at
risk of disasters in order to achieve the Millennium Development
Goals and sustainable development. Appreciation was expressed
for the new global and regional initiatives and initiatives
taken by many national governments in Asia and the Pacific for
setting up legal and institutional mechanisms for disaster risk
reduction and mainstreaming risk reduction in development
planning. Other topics discussed were Early Warning and
Preparedness, Climate Change, integration of DRR into recovery
and reconstruction and regional mechanisms.
In conclusion, it was affirmed by all
participating members that the biennial Asian Ministerial
Conference that had started in Beiji;ng in 2005 would be
expanded as the Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
with participation of the regional and sub-regional
organizations, the UN agencies, International financial
institutions and other stake holders including the civil
society, scientific and technical organizations, the private
sector and the media. This Conference would be held once in two
years by rotation in different Asian countries, and the Asia and
Pacific regional office of the UN/ISDR within the framework of
expanded ISDR Asia Partnership shall provide the technical,
operational and secretarial support to the Regional Platform. It
was also decided that the various geographical sub-regions of
Asia and Pacific may hold periodic conferences of the national
governments and other stake holders and ensure that these are
well coordinated and complement each other in taking stock of
the progress made in the implementation of Hyogo Framework for
Action in the respective sub-regions.
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