The world is facing a critical juncture, with increasing risks, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, debt, food insecurity, and the climate crisis.
Rise in Disasters: There is a trend of rising disasters, including severe flooding, wildfires, and extreme weather events.
Without action, this could become the new normal.
Vulnerable countries and communities are disproportionately affected by these issues, despite contributing less to the problem.
Many of these countries also face severe debt issues.
India's Experience: India, one of the most disaster-prone countries, is experiencing these challenges acutely, with frequent disasters and extreme weather events impacting livelihoods and lives.
Solutions: There are solutions for both adaptation and mitigation, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), commitments in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Progress in implementing the Sendai Framework has been lacking.
Lessons from COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of systems-wide disaster risk reduction, resilience, and adaptation.
Digital innovations, such as computer modeling and India's CoWIN digital vaccine system, have played a role in addressing these challenges.
India's Stewardship: India has made progress in disaster risk reduction with state-level disaster management plans, early warning systems for cyclones, and heat wave action plans, resulting in reduced mortality from extreme weather events.
Financial Reforms: The 15th Finance Commission in India introduced significant reforms for disaster risk financing, allocating resources for preparedness, response, recovery, and capacity development.
International Engagement: India is actively promoting disaster resilience and sustainability on the international stage, including through initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and its National Disaster Response Force.
India's G20 presidency established a Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group aligned with the SDGs, reflecting shared priorities in addressing disaster risks.
Disaster risk needs to be integrated into how we build, invest, and live.
Early warning systems are cost-effective methods for risk reduction.
The ultimate goal is to establish a global multi-risk warning system for all types of hazards, including biological, tectonic, and technological.
Enhancing global data capabilities is essential for predicting and responding to risks, and progress has been made in knowledge sharing and risk analysis.
International Cooperation: International cooperation is crucial for disaster prevention, response, and recovery, particularly for countries in the Global South.
Opportunity for a Resilient Future: The G20 summit and the outcomes of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group provide an opportunity to design a future where the world is better equipped to withstand disaster risk.
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