Mayors Renew Commitment to Disaster Resiliency

Mayors from 168 countries met on 13 May 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland to renew their commitment to disaster resiliency and called upon UNISDR to work more closely with city networks and civil society organisations in order to sustain adequate local level preparations for disaster risk reduction. The meeting was part of the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and World Reconstruction Conference held from 8-13 May 2011.

Atty. Violeta Seva, speaking for the Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay of Makati City, Chair of the CITYNET Disaster Cluster, said that UNISDR and the different city networks – CITYNET, ICLEI, UCLG, EMI, and other similar entities – should collaborate more closely in order to speed up and broaden the implementation of the Campaign’s objectives Atty. Violeta Seva, speaking for the Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay of Makati City, Chair of the CITYNET Disaster Cluster, said that UNISDR and the different city networks – CITYNET, ICLEI, UCLG, EMI, and other similar entities – should collaborate more closely in order to speed up and broaden the implementation of the Campaign’s objectives.

The participants also encouraged the members of the Global Platform and World Reconstruction Conference to pledge their commitment to the “Making Cities Resilient” Campaign. Their commitments can boost the existing network of local governments and strengthen their presence and voice in international fora on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change.

The mayors and local government authorities expressed their total commitment to assuming the lead role in a) linking the stakeholders in the enhancement of disaster resilience at the local level, b) involving the stakeholders in planning, raising awareness, and investing in disaster risk reduction and resilience building, and c) working with city councils, civil society, and other groups to promote the legal frameworks and appropriate budgeting to strengthen the capacity for resilience .

At the meeting, the mayors renewed their commitment to the Ten Essentials of the “Making Cities Resilient” Campaign, which has grown to include more than 750 local governments and mayors since its launch in 2010. CITYNET continues to be a close partner of UNISDR for the Campaign. For details of the meeting's outputs, please see the Chair's Summary.