Post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (HFA2): report from 2013 global platform consultations

These contributions from consultations at the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction build on the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and provide substance for a successor framework beyond 2015, also known as HFA2. This document provides a synopsis of the discussions held during the Global Platform and the documents submitted in support of those consultations. It is meant to provide a summary distillation of what was said and does not, therefore, include detail of all the interventions. It gives the gist of the issues raised and proposals made with a view to developing HFA2. It has been accepted almost universally that HFA2 should build on the achievements of HFA and other international agreements. The efforts to implement HFA will have to continue. Accordingly, this document assumes some knowledge of what HFA has already accomplished.

All the noted interventions are organized around twelve categories. This has been done in order to facilitate readability and to provide the reader with a coherent narrative. They are: (i) the importance of community-level involvement; (ii) targeting and including the most vulnerable populations; (iii) women as leaders; (iv) children and youth: new generation of opportunity; (v) health; (vi) integrating climate change adaptation, development and disaster risk reduction; (vii) the role of science; (viii) knowledge-sharing and education; (ix) capacity-building: financing, risk assessment, preparedness and early warning; (x) private sector involvement in disaster risk reduction; (xii) political will and leadership; and (xii) governance, accountability, transparency and inclusiveness.

The discussion on the HFA2 at the Global Platform was the culmination of consultations by stakeholders over the course of 2012-2013 including at regional level platforms. Further consultations, discussions and presentations were made during the sessions at the Global Platform. For example, a whole day of HFA2 consultations with stakeholders was held on 20 May. Two informal plenaries discussed HFA2 on 21-22 May, and many events had HFA2 as a backdrop.