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It is a pleasure for Switzerland to host the second International Disaster and Risk Conference (IDRC) Conference in Davos in 2008.
After 2006, we welcome once again delegations from all continents, representatives of governments, the private sector, science and
civil society. The conference promotes and facilitates knowledge transfer from applied science and research to decision makers and
practitioners, and plays a significant role in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA).
The HFA specifies among others the goal to support the creation and strengthening of national integrated disaster risk reduction
(DRR) mechanisms, such as multi-sectoral national platforms, with designated responsibilities aiming at facilitating coordination and
promoting disaster risk awareness across sectors.
With over 20 years of experience in disaster risk reduction, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is co-
organizing a Workshop on National Platforms at the IDRC 2008 jointly with the Swiss National Platform for Natural Hazards
(PLANAT) and relevant counterparts from Germany and France.
During the workshop a country-specific action plan will be elaborated with the following aims:
• Further strengthen the existing national DRR coordinating mechanisms
• Improve the systematic coordination of DRR and climate change adaptation at the national level
• Reinforce coordination and information exchange among national platforms and countries at the regional level.
Several countries are represented and actively participate in this event in order to establish and develop their national DRR platforms,
legislative frameworks, plans and activities. They do this by using synergies with upcoming processes and instruments to face climate
change as well as increasing information and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, this initiative is intended to provide future
opportunities for civil society, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and the private sector to contribute to DRR.
DRR has advanced on the agenda of many countries, which is indeed a very positive development. Although the primary
responsibility lies with states, international and multilateral organizations nevertheless have to keep on ensuring their high profile in
this field.
Martin Dahinden,
Director General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
STATEMENT FROM MARTIN DAHINDEN,
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE SWISS AGENCY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION