Just thought we’d highlight that the 4th session of the Pacific Platform for disaster risk management, run by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), is currently underway, and is focusing on disaster risk management, water security and climate change.

From the press release:

[Noumea, September 17, 2012] The Pacific is one of the most disaster prone regions on earth. The frequent floods, droughts, hurricanes and salt water intrusion also impact the fragile freshwater resources and infrastructure of many countries, adding further pressure to communities and governments. Added to this is increased climate variability and change, which has the potential to increase the severity of related natural disasters and impact water supply.

With this in mind the theme for the 4th Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management (DRM), is “Disaster Risk Management, Water Security and Climate Change – Integrating our efforts for a more resilient Pacific”. Among the key aims of the meeting is to develop a new Regional Action Plan for water and sanitation in the Pacific and to come up with a roadmap to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption beyond 2015.

For those not able to attend, there is also a short message to the Pacific Platform from Margareta Wahlström, UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction. We will be looking out for the results of the meeting, and next steps.