First Coordinators’ Meeting of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management

H.E. Mr. Wang Xiangxi, Minister of Emergency Management,

H.E. Mr. Xu Jia’ai, Vice Minister of Emergency Management,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I take this opportunity to congratulate Minister Wang for the incredible strides the Ministry of Emergency Management has made since its creation in 2018

Please also allow me, on behalf of the United Nations family in China, to send our sympathies and condolences to those suffering from the tragic earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The United Nations is fully committed to supporting the response. Our teams are on the ground assessing the needs and providing assistance.”

I thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China, including the Ministry of Emergency Management, for providing emergency humanitarian aid and sending over a dozen rescue teams to these two countries.

Such disasters have had tremendous human and economic costs – as high as USD $ 313 billion in 2022, up from USD $ 252 billion in 2021, and are derailing global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If current trends continue, the number of disasters per year globally may increase to 560 per year by 2030, and under a “worst-case” or no action scenario on climate change, an additional 100.7 million people will be pushed into poverty by this time, according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

In countries of the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, successive failed rainy seasons have severely impacted the lives and livelihoods of people, especially women, children, and the elderly, and their livestock, the primary source of income. Currently, the UN, the Government of Kenya and humanitarian partners in Kenya are appealing for USD $ 472.6 million to help 4.3 million drought-affected people in 2023, in support of the Government-led response.

I have lived and worked in Kenya for six years before coming to China in January 2021. I have seen first-hand the most promising results of the Belt and Road Initiative in Kenya and in the region. UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out that the BRI “could contribute to a more equitable, prosperous world, and to reversing the negative impact of climate change.”

This year is the 10th anniversary of the BRI. The BRI, through its infrastructure investments in ports, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams, and railroad tunnels, shows the potential for enhancing international cooperation and accelerating progress on the SDGs, including on disaster risk reduction and emergency management.

We will continue to offer our technical support and expertise, and advocate the alignment with recognized international norms and standards, for example, to strengthen the links between the BRI and the SDGs, and uphold international environmental and social standards, to ensure that local communities and people benefit from this initiative.

We need to be better prepared, especially for the most vulnerable groups, to address systemic risks, invest in more resilient societies, and leave no one behind.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides Member States with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster. Here, UNDRR oversees the implementation of the Sendai Framework, supporting countries in its implementation, monitoring and sharing what works in reducing existing risk and preventing the creation of new risk.

But we need further action through enhanced political will, better public policy and more partnerships to operationalize our internationally agreed commitments and mechanisms.

Let me start on political will. At COP 27, the world reached a breakthrough agreement on a new Loss and Damage Fund for Vulnerable Countries. However, Member States still need to ramp up their climate ambition and take concrete steps to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund as soon as possible, as emphasized by H.E. Mr. Moin Ul Haque, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Disaster risk reduction should be integrated into investment decisions, especially infrastructure investments, including those under the BRI. At least 70% of infrastructure losses are due to weather-related disasters, and we can expect these losses to only increase due to climate change. The more countries can inform their infrastructure projects based on a comprehensive understanding of current and projected risks, the more likely they will be able to survive the climate crisis and support economic and social development.

On public policy. The best defence against future shocks is to build resilience today by reducing vulnerabilities and inequalities that help drive disasters. Here, increasing the availability of people-centred and multi-hazard early warning systems along with disaster risk information can help countries with their national and local strategies to enable early action that minimizes harm to people, assets, and livelihoods.

On partnerships. The spirit of multilateralism must ensure. Investing in disaster risk reduction requires international cooperation and partnerships, which are essential to the effective management and mitigation of emergencies.

Here, the Belt and Road International Cooperation Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management have the potential to become a platform to foster collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, the international community, the private sector, academia, and foundations.

We look to enhanced collaboration with stakeholders, including those from China, in our joint efforts, through South-South Cooperation, to bring benefits for all, especially for those hardest hit by disasters.

I wish today’s forum every success.