Asian Development Bank and UNDRR sign cooperation arrangement to strengthen disaster resilience in Asia and the Pacific
Signing ceremony at ADB Headquarters in Manila on 16 June 2026.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) signed a Cooperation Arrangement to deepen joint efforts to strengthen disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific, thus saving lives and livelihoods and reducing disaster losses.
Under the Cooperation Arrangement, developing member countries will be able to access combined technical support from ADB and UNDRR to strengthen disaster risk financing strategies, pre-disaster readiness for resilient recovery, and the integration of disaster risk information into investment planning and policy decisions.
The Cooperation Arrangement was signed by HK Yu, ADB Vice-President for Administration and Corporate Management, and Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR. It comes as countries enter the final years of implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which aims to reduce disaster risks and losses by 2030. It calls for a better understanding of disaster risks, stronger risk governance, increased investment in resilience, and enhanced preparedness to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
“Disaster resilience is built before disasters strike. This Cooperation Arrangement will help countries in Asia and the Pacific move from reacting to disasters to investing in risk reduction, recovery readiness, and systems that protect lives, livelihoods, and development gains,” said Kishore.
Asia and the Pacific account for approximately 40 percent of global economic losses from disasters annually. In 2025, ADB committed $13.5 billion in climate finance - representing 51 percent of its total annual committed financing - with a significant portion directed at climate adaptation and disaster resilience. ADB’s Disaster Risk Management Action Plan 2024-2030 guides the institution’s efforts to move from reactive disaster response to more proactive risk reduction across its DMCs.
UNDRR, headquartered in Geneva, is the United Nations system’s focal point for the coordination of disaster risk reduction. It supports countries to better understand, manage, and reduce disaster and climate risks, and to strengthen resilience through risk-informed policies, planning, and investment.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members - 50 from the region.