The EUR-OPA Executive Secretary participated in the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (Global Platform)  held in Cancun, Mexico from 22 to 26 May 2017. The Secretary presented EUR-OPA activities and, in particular, the work on vulnerable and marginal groups (e.g. migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, people with disabilities, children); cultural heritage and community-based approach as well as climate change and environmental management, in line with the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. On 26 May, the Secretary addressed as keynote speaker the Working Session on “Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge for Building Resilience”. He also presented the joint publication with the International Organisation for Migrants on "Migrants in Disaster Risk Reduction: Practice for Inclusion".

The Global Forum is the most important international Forum at the global level for strategic advice, coordination, partnership development and the review of progress in the implementation of international agreements on disaster risk reduction. About 6,000 participants were expected to this biannual event, with more than 1000 participants coming from Europe, including policy makers, disaster risk managers, representatives of governments, IGOs, NGOs, private sectors and civil society.

Link to the Session : European regional briefing