The 4^th Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management which held its meeting in Noumea in New Caledonia, had as its primary focus the challenges that lay ahead for the region with regards climate change.  The theme for this 4^th Session was “Disaster Risk Management, Water Security and Climate Change – Integrating our efforts for a more resilient Pacific.”  The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) co-convenes the Sessions with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

Opening the Session, Dr. Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary General of the SPC, said, “There are many of you here who represent the core leadership group for disaster risk management in our region and you have done a sterling job. For the future however I think you need to embrace more meaningfully the contribution of various sectors and interest groups and work with them to bring about change and improvements.” He went on: “The collaboration with the Water and Sanitation sector at this year’s meeting is a shining example but I think more can be done. We need to adopt a ‘many partners-one team’ approach and focus on improved coordination to address important cross-cutting challenges such as disaster reduction, climate change, food and water security. We must embrace strong engagement with civil society and the private sector.”

Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction in a video greeting to the Session’s delegates said: “There is no other region in the world that has more reason to embrace the principles of disaster risk reduction than the Pacific. Few other parts of the world understand as well as you do what it takes to build resilience in response to growing environmental threats. This is particularly clear in your leadership on the integration of disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaption.”

Before adjourning, the delegates committed to developing “an integrated regional strategy for disaster risk management and climate change which will be a key part of the region’s contribution towards creating the new framework which is scheduled to be discussed at the next World Conference on Disaster Risk reduction in Japan, in 2015.” The UNISDR website also reported that Mosese Sikiviou, Deputy Director for the SPC’s Disaster Reduction Programme, referring to the new regional strategy, said: “We want to ensure that the various sectors and interest groups that contribute to the overall reduction of vulnerability and risk in our region can get full value out of the new strategy.”