This is a reproduction of the UNDRR monthly newsletter. Get this update and other newsletters here.
This month from UNDRR: GP2028 hosted by Qatar, COP30 advances, UNDRR Strategic Framework 2026-2030, WIN DRR Leadership Awards winners, Resilience bond for Latin America and the Caribbean, resilient recovery in Syria, DRR training, a global standard for infrastructure resilience, and tsunami awareness commemorations around the globe.
Qatar to host the Global Platform 2028
The State of Qatar will host the Ninth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2028) in 2028. Building on Doha’s success in facilitating multilateral processes, such as the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries in 2023 and the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025, GP2028 will be a pivotal gathering to build on the Geneva Call and shape the future of disaster risk reduction.
Climate resilience advances at COP30
The COP30 Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil, closed with a recognition that while a temporary overshoot above 1.5°C is inevitable, countries can avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis by investing in resilience. Hence, the call for at least tripling adaptation finance by 2035.
UNDRR actively participated in COP30, with over 50 engagements over two weeks, including a COP30 Presidency High-Level on Early Warnings for All. During these engagements, key products were launched:
- Report on the Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems 2025 (Target G report).
- Global Synthesis Report on Comprehensive Risk Management.
- The Extreme Heat Risk Governance Framework and Toolkit and the Extreme Heat Risk Management Scorecard.
UNDRR also contributed to several COP processes, including:
- Development of indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation, resulting in the adoption of the “Belém Adaptation Indicators” – many of which are aligned with the Sendai Framework’s indicators.
- The COP’s adoption of the Santiago Network’s annual report.
- Support for the governance, urban development and capacity building themes under the Presidency’s Global Climate Action Agenda.
Accelerating Action: UNDRR Strategic Framework 2026-2030
UNDRR released its new Strategic Framework 2026-2030, setting the course for accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework in its final five years. The framework focuses on four interconnected and mutually reinforcing catalytic areas: risk knowledge, locally-led DRR, financing, and recovery readiness. This strategic focus addresses key gaps and recommendations identified in the Midterm Review of the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
WIN DRR Leadership Awards winners announced
The Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Awards 2025 have been awarded to Ms. Takena Redfern of Kiribati, as the Excellence Award winner, and Ms. Nashin Mahtani of Indonesia, as the Rising Star Award winner. As highlighted by TVRI World, this year’s awardees represent two vital pathways to reducing disaster risk: technology-enabled community participation and inclusive, people-centered governance. UNDRR congratulates the winners and commends all the Rising Star and Excellence finalists for contributing to advancing inclusive disaster risk reduction in Asia and the Pacific.
Resilience bond for Latin America and the Caribbean
In partnership with UNDRR, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – announced at COP30 a $100 million resilience bond to finance resilient infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean. UNDRR served as technical coordinator for the selection of projects financed by the bond, based on standards developed by UNDRR and the Climate Bonds Initiative.
Helping Syria achieve a resilient recovery
As Syria emerges from 13 years of war, UNDRR is supporting the country in building the foundation for a resilient future. Through a workshop in Damascus, UNDRR assisted the newly established Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management in convening a multi-agency, multi-stakeholder gathering to identify priority gaps and prepare a national roadmap for disaster risk reduction in Syria. UNDRR and partners will continue to support the development and implementation of the roadmap.
DRR training course for media professionals
UNDRR launched an online training course, Covering Disasters from a Different Lens, at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union’s 9th Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Prevention, hosted by Sri Lanka. The course equips journalists with a foundation in disaster risk reduction and guidance on reporting beyond immediate disaster impacts to spotlighting underlying risks. This effort strengthens the media's role in disaster risk reduction and the “Early Warnings for All” initiative.
New global standard for infrastructure resilience
A major milestone in global disaster resilience was reached this month with the release of ISO 22372: Guidelines for Resilient Infrastructure. This new international standard provides guidelines for establishing, maintaining, monitoring and improving infrastructure resilience. The standard builds directly on UNDRR's Principles for Resilient Infrastructure and supports the accelerated implementation of the Sendai Framework.
Tsunami awareness commemorations around the world
Given the human and economic cost of tsunamis, UNDRR marked World Tsunami Awareness Day in November with a global call for investing in tsunami preparedness and several events:
- 5 Nov in New York: commemoration event organised with the Permanent Missions of Japan, Chile, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand, together with the Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- 5 Nov in Bangkok: a film screening and high-level dialogue on financing tsunami and multi-hazard resilience.
- 6 Nov in Panama: virtual event on tsunami warning communication and dissemination in the Americas and the Caribbean.
- 7 Nov in Dili: around 160 students from five schools participated in a commemoration and evacuation exercises, co-organised with Civil Protection Authority of Timor Leste, Embassy of Portugal, UNESCO-IOC, and Pacífico Applied Risk Communications.
- 9 Nov in Cairo: a commemoration and Multi-Hazard Resilience Forum were hosted with the Government of Egypt.
- 27 to 28 Nov in Sendai: the High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” 2025 was held in Japan, co-hosted by Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and others. High school students from 10 countries, including Japan, participated in the summit.
Holiday Greetings
As the year draws to a close, we would like to wish our global community of readers restful holidays and a happy and resilient New Year. Look out for our next newsletter in January 2026.