World disaster reduction conference ends with decade framework

The World Conference on Disaster Reduction concluded in Kobe on Saturday with the adoption of the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

The participants had intensive discussions on the recent Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, reflecting on the lessons and agreeing on pushing forward with the establishment of an early warning system in the Indian Ocean region.

The conference aimed to substantially cut the disaster losses in the 10 years to come, and make schools and hospitals disaster-proof, said Jan Egeland, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, at the closing session.

The framework said the expected outcome for the next 10 years is "the substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives and in the social, economic and environment assets of communities and countries."

The document also set up strategic goals, such as the more effective integration of disaster risk considerations into sustainable development policies.

As for the tsunami, the participants agreed that the United Nations will be responsible for coordinating the efforts for building the Indian Ocean tsunami early warning system which could be basically in place in about one year.

More than 4,000 people from about 150 countries, regions and organizations participated the conference, which started on Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua