January 22, 2005 No. 15 The Government of Canada today welcomed the outcome, including the Hyogo Framework for Action, of the second World Conference on Disaster Reduction, which took place in Kobe, Japan from January 18 to 22, 2005. The Conference outlined a 10-year framework for action that promotes disaster reduction and ties it to the international aid and sustainable development agendas of developed and developing countries. A consensus was also reached on establishing a global multi-hazard warning system, including a tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean. “Canada is committed to implementing the Framework for Action and welcomes the establishment of the early warning system,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew. “The devastation in the Caribbean and more recently the earthquake and tsunami that affected countries in Africa and Asia have reminded the international community of the critical importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation. It is both timely and encouraging that the international community has come together to agree on a framework for action that will promote efforts to reduce the impact of disasters around the world and help communities better prepare for them.” During the Conference, Canada announced through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that $1 million will go to the United Nations Development Program in 2005 for its disaster reduction project. CIDA also announced that a further $1 million will go to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent for disaster preparedness and capacity building. “The impact of natural disasters on developing countries is disproportionately great,” said Minister of International Cooperation Aileen Carroll. “The programs CIDA is supporting with the funding announced at the conference will help to integrate disaster reduction into development planning and programming, as well as build the capacity of vulnerable communities, countries and regions to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.” The Government of Canada also indicated that, through Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC), it will work with provinces, territories and stakeholders to develop and implement an effective National Disaster Mitigation Strategy. The Strategy seeks to focus Canadian efforts at all levels of government and is aimed at reducing risks and the impact of natural disasters. Canada’s follow-up to the conference also includes discussions on disaster mitigation at a conference of federal, provincial and territorial ministers on emergency management from January 23 to 25. “The Government of Canada looks forward to working with all concerned stakeholders, within and outside government, to address the challenges we face in implementing an effective disaster mitigation strategy,” said Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Canada’s delegation to the conference was led by Paul Kennedy, PSEPC Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, and included technical experts from Natural Resources Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, CIDA, Environment Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. It also included representatives from the University of Toronto, the Canadian Red Cross and the University of Manitoba’s Natural Resources Institute. More information on Canada’s participation in the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, including Canada’s statement, is available at http://www.international.gc.ca. - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Sébastien Théberge Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (613) 995-1851 Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs Canada (613) 995-1874 http://www.international.gc.ca Media Relations Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (613) 991-0657 Andrew Graham Director of Communications Office of the Minister of International Cooperation (819)953-6238 Media Relations Office Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) (819) 953-6534 info@acdi-cida.gc.ca
