In light of the recent rains and floods, the spotlight will once again be on Durban as the city gears up to host the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Ministerial Session.
Set to be hosted between 10 to 11 April at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC), this session forms part of the G20 Summit being hosted by South Africa in November this year. Ministers responsible for emergency and disaster related portfolios in the G20 member states are expected to gather for the two-day session in a build-up to the summit.
The disaster risk reduction focuses on preventing and mitigating risks, preparing for emergencies, responding effectively to disasters, and ensuring recovery and rehabilitation after disasters, all while strengthening community resilience. Additionally, it will facilitate exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices among member countries in the DRR and management; identify common challenges and priorities related to DRR and resilience-building efforts; develop policy recommendations and initiatives to strengthen global resilience to disasters; support the implementation of international agreements such as the Sendai Framework, which outlines targets and priorities for reducing disaster risk globally; and to encourage collaboration between governments, international organisations, civil society and the private sector in DRR initiatives.
