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Mami Mizutori
Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of UNDDR

Mami Mizutori is the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDDR).

On 31 January 2018, the United Nations Secretary-General announced the appointment of Mami Mizutori as Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

Prior to joining the UN, Ms. Mizutori was Executive Director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, University of East Anglia, UK from 2011.

Ms. Mizutori served for twenty-seven years in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in various capacities, including: Budget Director; Director of the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) at the Embassy of Japan in London; Director of the National Security Policy Division, Director of the United Nations Policy Division; Director of the Status of US Forces Agreement Division; and Deputy Director of the Personnel Division.

Having graduated in law from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo and obtained a Diploma in International Studies from the Diplomatic School of Spain, she has taught courses on governance in East Asia at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and international studies at Waseda University, Tokyo.

A Japanese national, Ms. Mizutori speaks fluent Japanese, English and Spanish. She is married to Barak Kushner and lives in Geneva, Switzerland.

SRSG Mami Mizutori

Recent statements

Statements and messages

Opening remarks by SRSG Mizutori: World Reconstruction Conference 5

We are meeting at a critical juncture for the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Both of these landmark frameworks are approaching the midpoint of their implementation at a time of significant setbacks.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Statements and messages

Opening remarks by SRSG Mizutori at the Global Platform 2022 - Stakeholder Forum

An all-of-society approach to reducing risk and building resilience is one of the Sendai Framework’s guiding principles. It calls for “inclusive, accessible and non-discriminatory participation”, and pays attention to those disproportionately affected.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Statements and messages

Opening remarkys by SRSG Mami Mizutori: 3rd Multi-hazard Early Warning Conference

This Conference is an excellent opportunity to take stock and promote the scaling up Target G of the Sendai Framework, which calls on us to substantially increase the availability of and access to Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Statements and messages

Remarks by SRSG Mizutori: Consultation on Water and Adaptation at COP27 - in Cairo, Egypt

UNDRR dedicates significant attention to water-related risks and challenges. The Sendai Framework systemically addresses disaster risk and promotes national and local DRR strategies that account for multi-hazard risks, including those related to water.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Video messages

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Articles and Op Eds

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Our work - Mami Mizutori
Q&A with Mami Mizutori
"90 percent of disaster funding is spent only after disaster strikes. It goes on relief, the response and reconstruction. Only 10 percent is spent on prevention. But the gap is widening between the need for humanitarian aid and what the international community is able to provide."
Read the interview