European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction: contributions to Climate Change Policy agenda

1. European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction:contributions to Climate Change Policy agenda Dr. Pande Lazarevski Co-chair of the European Forum for DRR Brussels, 7 July 2010

2. European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction • Established: • Meeting of European NPs and HFA Focal Points in London, October 2009 • Objectives: • To serve as a forum to stimulate and facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge among participating national HFA focal points and platforms and regional/sub-regional partners • To provide advocacy for effective action to reduce disasters, by contributing to the implementation of the HFA, and by promoting and supporting the creation of new national platforms • To create a safer Europe by reducing the impact of natural hazards to reduce vulnerability, and increasing the ability to minimize consequences of disasters • The forum will facilitate exchanges among European nations on the implementation of the HFA, and will provide an opportunity for innovative ideas in the field of DRR

3. European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction • The EFDRR addresses: • Increased awareness on DRR as an integral aspect of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change, recognizing that it is “everybody’s business” • Enhanced commitment of policy and decision makers to implement HFA • Stimulated engagement of national and regional actors to promote joint activities towards DRR • Enhanced coordination of relevant national and regional actors in DRR • Fostered understanding of the HFA reporting mechanisms • Identified specific opportunities for cross-fertilization between countries and sub-regions for exchange of information, as well as inter-government and inter-sector cooperation

4. European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction • Focus areas and activities identified by NPs and HFA Focal Points: • Adaptation to Climate Change and extreme weather events • Critical infrastructures ( such as hospitals and schools) • Local level / Community level approach • Safety level standards • Harmonize risk mapping and assessments including data collection

5. European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction • Principles of the EFDRR: • Bottom-up and participatory approach • Building on existing institutions/organizations • Avoid the creation of bureaucratic layers and rigid structures

8. European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction • Greater coordination and cooperation with international institutions and initiatives on CCA & DRR: • ISDR, UNFCCC, IPCC… (Demetrio, any more organizations?)

9. EFDRR Advisory Groups Advisory Group on CCA & DRR Advisory Group on knowledge & information sharing & exchanges among NPs The activities of both advisory groups are interrelated and lead to the same goal.

10. Advisory Group on Climate Change Adaptation and DRR • The group will organize: • Session for CCA and DRR • Propose a European task force on CCA & DRR • The very idea to establish an European task force under the auspices of the EFDRR is a expression of the political will to jointly address CCA & DRR. • To boost the exchange of expertise • To make proposal on policy making related to CCA & DRR

11. Advisory Group on Climate Change Adaptation and DRR Members: France Germany Macedonia Norway Poland

13. Macedonian experiences Emphasis not only on expert & academic dimension, but also on legal, economic & social aspects of CCA strategies, policies & plans.

14. Thank you E-mail: npdrr.office@gs.gov.mk