Macedonian Chairmanship with the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction

Doha Climate Change Conference - Nov. 26 – Dec. 7, 2012

The 18th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the 8th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol will take place from Monday, 26 November to Friday, 7 December 2012 at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar. The conference will be hosted by the Government of Qatar and supported by the UNFCCC secretariat. As nominated by the Asia-Pacific Group, H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah is the President-Designate for COP 18 and CMP 8.

Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012

European Environment Agency, EEA Report No 12/2012 (Nov 21, 2012)

This European Environment Agency (EEA) report presents information on past and projected climate change and related impacts in Europe, based on a range of indicators. The report also assesses the vulnerability of society, human health and ecosystems in Europe and identifies those regions in Europe most at risk from climate change. Furthermore, the report discusses the principle sources of uncertainty for the indicators and notes how monitoring and scenario development can improve our understanding of climate change, its impacts and related vulnerabilities.

The 16 scariest maps from the E.U.’s climate change report 2012

3rd meeting of the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction (EFDRR) 01-03 Oct 2012, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Hosted by the Croatian National Protection and Rescue Directorate, Chair of the EFDRR,+ the meeting is co-organized in collaboration with the Council of Europe (EUR-OPA) and UNISDR Europe. The purpose of the meeting is to facilitate discussion, exchanges and synergies towards disaster risk reduction activities in Europe and to provide inputs from European HFA Focal Points to the Post-HFA consultations.

DRR & CCA relevant points of the Address by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, at the 67th UN General Assembley (September 27, 2012)

“...Balanced and sustainable development is a major investment for the future. An investment whereby everyone must participate with a portion in the interest of general well-being. The outcome of the Conference on Sustainable Development Rio +20 should be taken as an additional impetus for the use of alternative possibilities for achieving sustainable development. The Republic of Macedonia, in coordination with the policies of its European partners, will advocate an expansion of these alternatives. Sustainable development is closely linked to the disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. Recognizing this interdependence, the Republic of Macedonia supports the holistic approach of their implementation in national, regional and global strategies, policies and plans. ...”

World Urban Forum 2012, September 1-7, Naples, Italy

The Sixth Session of the World Urban Forum is conceived as a platform where various segments of society can discuss, learn, practice, agree and disagree on different ways to build and sustain a more prosperous urban future for our cities. It is also intended to reexamine the manner in which UN Habitat and its partners contribute to guiding and enriching the policy work on sustainable urbanization through an open dialogue. It will examine the continuity and discontinuities as well as the implications of the unfolding demographic magnitudes. It will also provide an opportunity to grapple with the challenge of fostering prosperity and connecting it with the challenge of broadening the improvements in the quality of urban life in interdisciplinary analysis to develop policies and plans to meet their goals for urban-based social and economic development that is environmentally safe, equitable and sustainable.

Second Announcement (2012, Aug 28) for IV Session of the GPDRR 2013

There is unprecedented international momentum to reduce disaster risk and build resilience in our communities. Across the globe there is action to reduce the social, economic and environmental impacts of catastrophes brought on by natural hazards. At the same time, tragic events over the last few years remind us that disasters do not differentiate between regions or income-levels. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of weather-related hazards. Rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation are exposing more people and more assets to threats; the risk of economic loss from a disaster is increasing at a faster rate than economic growth.

Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

4th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2012, Aug 26-30, Davos

IDRC Davos 2012 will take place from 26 to 30 August 2012 in Davos, Switzerland. Risks in a changing and global world are complex and interconnected, so promoting integrative risk management is more then ever a pressing issue. At IDRC Davos 2012 a multi- and interdisciplinary group of stakeholders will discuss new findings and exchange experiences about the broad spectrum of risks societies are facing today in plenary and parallel sessions, workshops and training courses, and poster exhibitions. IDRC Davos offers ample opportunities for networking, experience exchange, and information gathering. Join the unique community of business leaders, decision makers, practitioners, UN-,IO-, and NGO-agents, and scientists.

World Conference on Disaster Management, June 25-27, Toronto

WCDM recognizes the many challenges that our unique industry is faced with including trying to do more with less in these tough economic times. It will take progressive minds and collective thoughts to develop innovative strategies that will sustain future infrastructures and meet the budget's bottom line. WCDM 2012 has injected this forward thinking into our program and is ready to share it with you! WCDM’s programs continued focus is to help break down silos and encourage professionals in all fields of disaster management, in both public and private sectors, to work together. WCDM offers the greatest opportunity to network with peers and colleagues from over 35 countries who share the same challenges and have the same goals.

Rio+20, United NationsConference on Sustainable Development

At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, along with thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other groups, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet to get to the future we want.

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), organized in pursuance of General Assembly Resolution 64/236 (A/RES/64/236), Brazil, 20-22 June 2012, marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg.

DRR & CCA relevant points of the Address of the President of the Republic of Macedonia at the Summit of Heads of State and Government within the SEECP 2012 ( June 15, 2012)

...Next year in June I will have the honor to host this Summit. The Summit will focus on two topical and closely related issues of global importance: disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, as complementary concepts that are part of the same equation, the solution of which must be sought together. Climate change and disaster risk is a reality of today, but also a real threat for the future. A threat that can be removed only by respecting undertaken commitments and numerous efforts invested by us all. I am convinced that intensive regional cooperation in this field will help us build a region more resistant to natural disasters.

Building Resilience to Disasters in Western Balkans and Turkey , 22 May 2012

Financing Agreement in support of the regional project “Building Resilience to Disasters in Western Balkans and Turkey” has been signed between the UNISDR and the Directorate General for Enlargement of the European Commission. The Project, which will be jointly implemented by UNISDR and WMO, has a duration of 24 months from 22 May 2012.

IPCC press release, 28 March 2012

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) releases full report on managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation (SREX)

http://www.ipcc-wg2.gov/SREX/

http://www.ipcc.ch/

Concept Paper: Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2013

The aim of the Fourth Session will be to continue the momentum into a durable and sustained effort from all actors (governments, NGOs and civil society, international agencies and organizations, academic and technical institutions, and the private sector) to take shared responsibility in reducing risks and reinforcing resilience in our communities. The Fourth Session will also be an opportunity to progress and consult on the Hyogo Framework for Action.

"Planet Under Pressure 2012 , March 26-29, London

Based on the latest scientific evidence, the London Planet Under Pressure conference provides a comprehensive update of our knowledge of the Earth system and the pressure our planet is now under, focusing the scientific community’s and the wider attention on climate, ecological degradation, human well-being, planetary thresholds, food security, energy, governance across scales and poverty alleviation.

"Building Cities Resilience to Disasters: Protecting Cultural Heritage and Adapting to Climate Change", Venice, March 19-20, 2012

Expected outcomes: Increased knowledge on measures to reduce vulnerability to disasters at local level; Sharing of disaster risk and adaptation policies among cities; Stimulate direct exchanges and learning between cities: City to city learning through twinning; Sharing knowledge and measures to safeguard cultural heritage in view of prospective risks; Stimulate engagement in the design and implementation of cities strategies and climate adaptation planning; Opportunity to collect information on good practices from Cities across Europe.

The 6th World Water Forum (March 12-17, 2012, Marseille)

The 6th World Water Forum (March 12-17, 2012, Marseille) will mobilise the international political community and civil society to move forward the cause of water and sanitation ... Every three years since 1997, the World Water Forum mobilises creativity, innovation, competence and know-how in favour of water. It gathers all stakeholders around today’s local, regional and global issues that cannot be undertaken without all stakeholders into a common framework of goals and concrete targets to reach. The goal of the 6th World Water Forum is to tackle the challenges our world is facing and to bring water high on all political agendas.

Towards a Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (version: Feb 8, 2012)

The paper ‘Towards a Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction’ provides background information; an outline of trends, progress and challenges; and, a discussion on what form of a post-2015 framework. The paper also outlines a consultation process, timeline, and maps out main events to 2015.

3rd International Conference on National Safety & Security: Resilient Citizens in a Resilient Society (The Hague, Feb 6 – 7, 2012)

This 3rd conference intends to build on the valuable exchange of expertise in the National Safety and Security field that has been facilitated by the previous two conferences. It is an opportunity for high level participants from public and private organisations to meet and share their expertise and good practices on identifying risks and the strategic (capacity) planning needed to face those risks and highlight the global challenges we face in crisis management and disaster reduction.

Republic of Macedonia - the 32nd Participating State of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism (January 31, 2012)

...Following this ratification the Memorandum of Understanding enters into force and since 31January 2012 ... Republic of Macedonia is to be considered the 32nd Participating State of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism.

International Disaster Conference & EXPO (New Orleans, Louisiana, January 17-19, 2012)

IDCE is an event designed to unite the most internationally recognized and distinguished professionals from around the world for three days of problem solving, planning and preparation, discussing relevant issues dealing with Emergency Management, Homeland Security, First Response, Loss Mitigation, Business Continuity, and all other disciplines within the fields of Disaster Preparation, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation on a global scale.

The focus of IDCE is to create opportunities for the Public and Private sectors to engage. The brightest minds, sharpest talents, and hardest workers the international community has ever produced will meet for a common goal and purpose: To better the performance of Planning, Response, and Recovery, further mitigating future loss of life and property when such catastrophic events occur anywhere in the world.

DRR - events and conferences oct. - dec. 2011

Working Together - Saving Tomorrow Today (Durban, 28 Nov - 9 Dec 2011)

Since the UNFCCC entered into force in 1995, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC have been meeting annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change. The COP adopts decisions and resolutions, published in reports of the COP.

Successive decisions taken by the COP make up a detailed set of rules for practical and effective implementation of the Convention. The COP serves as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, which also adopts decisions and resolutions on the implementation of its provisions.

31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Geneva, 28 November - 1 December 2011)

The Conference meets - in principle - every four years. It brings together the Recognized Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (186), States party to the Geneva Conventions (194), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Four years after the adoption of the Guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance (IDRL Guidelines) by the 30th International Conference, disaster laws will again feature prominently on the agenda of the 31st International Conference.

Dealing with Disasters - Reflections on Recent Disasters: The Past 10 Years International Conference 2011 (28th Nov 2011, University of Glamorgan Treforest, UK)

Over the last ten years disasters continued to have local, regional and global impacts on civilisation. The Disasters Emergency Committee has recently warned that the world should expect three to five big urban disasters in the next 10 years and that the 950 million people who live in urban slums worldwide are particularly vulnerable to a disaster. What lessons can we learn from our experiences of the last decade of disasters, that can be applied to promote resilience, optimise response and speed the recovery process and post event restoration?

ESF Research Conferences: Understanding Extreme Geohazards:The Science of the Disaster Risk Management Cycle (27 Nov - 2 Dec 2011, Spain)

Extreme geohazards are the cause of major disasters. Most of the lives and property lost to disasters caused by geohazards are lost during extreme events. Although extreme geohazards are infrequent and restricted to certain geographical regions, their potential impact is huge and of global scale.

United Nations International Conference on Space-based Technologies for Disaster Risk Management: “Best Practices for Risk Reduction and Rapid Response mapping” (22-25 November 2011)

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), through its UN-SPIDER Programme (United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response) is organising the above mentioned conference to promote the access and use of space-based technologies and solutions for disaster management and emergency response within relevant communities.

IRDR Conference 2011: Disaster Risk - Integration Science & Practice (31 Oct - 2 Nov, Beijing, China)

Our knowledge of natural hazards is steadily growing as science and technology develop rapidly, yet disasters continue to devastate people’s lives and the resources they depend on. Are we focusing on the most important problems? Are we digging deep enough to uncover the root causes of disasters? Are people actually making decisions based on our findings?

No single discipline can answer these questions.

First Regional Europa Re Insurance Conference: Developing Catastrophe and Weather Risk Markets in Southeast Europe: From Concept to Reality (October 12-14, 2011 Ohrid, Macedonia)