Update

As the 17th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union wrapped up in Malabo, Guinea, talks of a common voice on sustainable development have continued to dominate agendas in Africa ahead of the United Nations climate talks to be held in Durban in December. The need to address the issue of disasters and climate change continues to at the fore of various platforms of implementing the extended Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.

As Europe and North America move into the summer season, the risk of wildfires will increase. While these natural hazards may not get the attention of earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones, their destructive potential is considerable and reducing the risks they present should be a priority.

President Mauricio Mobarak of global consulting firm UC&CS has signed a statement of commitment announced by UNISDR's Private Sector Advisory Group during the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in May.

Over 10 million people from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda will be severely affected by severe drought, with no likelihood of improvement until 2012, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of humanitarian Affairs warned in an alert yesterday.

Recognizing the political importance and impact of recent disasters, UNISDR and the European Parliament organized a debate "Prevent or react: The EU approach to Disaster Risk Reduction" to discuss the European Union's approach to disaster prevention.

UNISDR, UNHABITAT and UNDP Kuwait organized a workshop on "Advancing disaster risk reduction and urban strategy in the Gulf States" in collaboration with the Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI) and the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP).

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia met with Margareta Wahlström, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, on Wednesday to discuss ways to help build the resilience of communities.

Following the 2nd World Congress on Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change, mayors from over sixty countries unanimously adopt the 2011 Bonn Declaration of Mayors to commit to globally coordinated local climate action. In the declaration, building resilience to disasters was highlighted as a critical issue.

Two executives from IBM and AECOM joined UNISDR’s growing Private Sector Advisory Group to support the organization’s work in engaging and supporting companies and businesses in reducing their risk to disasters.

The first comprehensive training on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab region gathered thirty leading specialists to discuss regional and global disaster risk trends. Organized by the UNDP Regional Centre for Arab States, it provided valuable insight on disaster risk assessment, mitigation and preparedness.