On 25 November 2021, UNU-CRIS (Belgium), UNU-EHS (Germany) and UNU-MERIT (the Netherlands) jointly organised a session at the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction to showcase the newly established United Nations University Climate Resilience Initiative (#UNUCRI), set up in response to the floods of July 2021 that particularly devastated Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Noting the significance of EFDRR as a regional platform of Europe established to address the regional disaster risk challenges, including the related scenarios of the climate crisis and allowing stakeholders to undertake shared responsibility and make actionable commitments to reduce disaster risk for communities and populations, showcasing #UNUCRI at the event opened up new avenues of potential partnership and collaboration with European agencies, experts and institutions.
During the session, representatives from UNU-CRIS (Nidhi Nagabhatla), UNU-EHS (Robert Oakes) and UNU-MERIT (Sanae Okamoto and Thomas Baar) presented various insights about this new climate resilience initiative — including research, planning and policy gaps of various stakeholders. The speakers also exchanged information and experiences on good practices and transformative approaches to manage climate crisis and disaster risks.
“#EFDRR2021 underlines the importance of collaboration across borders and between governments if we are to reduce disaster risk.” Madam Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction
This newly established initiative of UNU will support European endeavours in pushing forward climate talks and agreed agendas. It will help create a climate and disaster-resilient future for the region, #BuildingBackBetter while ensuring #ResilientRecovery and, in a subsequent phase, a platform for exchange between the Global North and South.
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MEDIA CREDITS
EFDRR
