Global business consulting firm commits to reducing disaster risk as 'Disaster Risk Reduction Private Sector Partnership' initiative launches

30 June 2011, Mexico City - President Mauricio Mobarak of United Consulting & Corporate Services Global (UC&CS) has signed the 'Statement of Commitment by the Private Sector for Disaster Prevention, Resilience and Risk Reduction', announced by UNISDR's Private Sector Advisory Group during the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Geneva, Switzerland in May.

The advisory group is comprised of members from the private sector taking the lead in ensuring the safety of long-term investments and planning ahead to protect industry and society from disasters, economic disruptions while ensuring business continuity. Members include leaders and executives from IBM, WillisRe, Credit Suisse, Titan America, Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group, MunichRe Foundation, and Kokusai Kogyo Holdings.

“We are very happy to have signed the UNISDR Private Sector Statement of Commitment. As a private sector business providing financial and business risk assessment and mitigation, we felt this was a natural fit. We look forward to using our established network of affiliates across the globe to aid in furthering the commitment’s goals,” said Mr. Mobarak.

The commitment is focused on promoting and developing public-private partnerships, leveraging private sector expertise and strengths, fostering a information exchange and sharing, supporting national and local risk assessment, and supporting the development and strengthening of national and local laws, regulations, policies and programs.

UNISDR Private Sector Advisory Group member Philip Verges, founder of the Small Equity Initiative, introduced UC&CS to UNISDR’s work following a presentation on public private partnerships (PPP) to reduce disaster risk at the UC&CS Third Conference of Central and South America Regions held last month in Colombia.

Headquartered in Mexico City and New York City, UC&CS was founded 11 years ago with a focus on becoming a global provider of business consulting services including accounting, auditing and tax, legal and business advisory services. Today the Network has more than 40 affiliated firms in 17 countries managing more than 1500 clients. The firm was ranked in 2010 as the 20th largest accounting network and 10th largest accounting association of independent firms by staff in the world.

UC&CS Global plans to invite UNISDR to present at the UC&CS upcoming annual partners conference 26-28 September 2011 in Mexico City.