Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism
UNDRR works together in partnership with stakeholders to influence and invigorate actors across sectors to drive collective efforts in building resilience. We bring together changemakers from the local to global level – across governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, scientific and research bodies, technical entities and the international community – to co-create DRR solutions, scale what works and unlock innovation through platforms such as the Global and Regional Platforms for DRR and through DRR stakeholder engagement mechanisms – because DRR is everyone’s business.
The Sendai Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (the SEM) creates an open and structured avenue for close engagement of stakeholders in the implementation of the Sendai Framework through key global, regional and national policy processes. The SEM was established by UNDRR in 2018 to leverage the convening and advocacy powers of the UN Major Groups and other stakeholders for the integration of disaster risk reduction into the broader 2030 Agenda.
We all need to do more
Achieving the ambitions of the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is grounded in advancing the full enjoyment of human rights, the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the inclusion of persons with disabilities, as well as other persons experiencing vulnerabilities, and the engagement of all of society in reducing risk and building resilience.
Core principle
Leave no one behind – pursue inclusive resilience for all. We prioritize the needs, participation and leadership of those most at risk – including people living in poverty, women, children and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, displaced persons and other marginalized groups – to ensure disaster resilience is inclusive, equitable and effective for all.
One of the key goals of (non-State) stakeholders is to engage in intergovernmental decision and policy making processes through access to intergovernmental processes and events.
The Sendai SEM
As the main interlocutor between UNDRR and stakeholders, key functions of the Sendai SEM include to:
- Build an inclusive and broad movement for the implementation of the Sendai Framework;
- Create avenues to influence policy design and implementation;
- Strengthen citizen-led and social accountability mechanisms;
- Promote coordination, information exchange and harmonization between stakeholder groups.
The SEM Value Proposition further elaborates the mission, objectives, and value addition of engaging through the SEM.
Governance
The Sendai SEM is governed by its Advisory Group, which comprises self-elected representatives from up to 21 UN Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS), Civil Society Organisation Groups focusing on specific 2030 Agenda policy processes, and specific DRR groups and stakeholders mentioned in the Sendai Framework and not covered by the MGoS. The SEM Advisory Group acts as a key interlocutor with UNDRR, and enables, leads and supports an all-of-society engagement in the implementation of the Sendai Framework at the local, national, regional and global levels.
View the list of 2026 SEM Advisory Group members
The biennial SEM Action Plan outlines priority actions aimed at facilitating an all-of-society, people-centered, inclusive, accessible approach for risk informed development. Access the latest SEM resources, including policy briefs, event announcements, newsletters, and knowledge products.
Join the movement
Any non-state actor can become a member of SEM. It is open to organizations, as well as individuals interested in contributing to disaster risk reduction, resilience building, and risk-informed development
