24 May 2017, Cancun, Mexico; The Maldives, as a strong advocate on the importance of building resilience to disasters, participates at the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction that is taking place in Cancun Mexico from 22-26 May 2017.
The Global platform is the primary forum to access progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, share good practices and knowledge; and to foster new partnerships. The Sendai Framework aims for substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic physical, social, cultural, and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. It also puts focus on preventing disaster risks and to strengthen resilience. The framework also places a special recognition of the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to disasters.
As a SIDS, and the Chair of the Alliance of the Small Island States, Maldives has continued to show leadership in matters of critical importance to SIDS. Among others, Maldives strongly advocates to build resilience and adaptation to effects of climate change. During this year's platform, the Maldives is Co-Chairing the Plenary Session on reducing vulnerabilities of countries in special situations. The delegation of Maldives also participated in a preparatory meeting held from 21-23 May, on 'climate and disaster resilience in Small Island Developing States: practical solutions', that exchanged experiences and good practices adopted by SIDS to foster development that is climate and disaster resilient.
The delegation of Maldives to the Global Platform is led by Deputy Minister of Defence and National Security Ms. Fathimath Thasneem. Other members of the Maldives delegation include, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN, Ms. Farzana Zahir, Mr. Hissan Hassan and Mr. Umar Fikry of the Maldives National Disaster Management Centre.
ENDS
