Trinidad and Tobago participates in Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Reduction

Trinidad and Tobago is committed to becoming a safer and more resilient nation. In light of this, officials from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) are representing Trinidad and Tobago at the Third Session of the United Nations Global Platform for Disaster Reduction which is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland. This forum, considered as the “world’s foremost gathering of stakeholders committed to reducing disaster risk and building the resilience of communities and nations” is being attended by Dr. Stephen Ramroop, Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Desiree Joseph, Manager- Mitigation Planning and Research Unit of the ODPM.

This forum, the theme of which is  Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow – Increased Investment in Local Action, brings together over 2000 disaster risk reduction, recovery and reconstruction experts such as policy makers and practitioners from government, international organizations, NGOs, academia and the private sector from both developing and developed countries. Attendees at this third session are also charged with assessing and sharing information as well as setting new directions for the disaster risk reduction imperative with particular emphasis on local initiatives and activities. (The ODPM’s newest community-based initiative, C.O.R.E – Communities Organised and Ready for Emergencies will also be presented in this forum).

It is important to note that an integral aspect of this Global Platform for Disaster Reduction is the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action which Trinidad and Tobago and 167 other countries adopted in 2005 as the policy document for minimising disaster risk and thus creating a culture of safety and resilience.

The ODPM looks forward to implementing some of the strategies and initiatives that were finalised at this third session as we aim to build a culture of safety and resilience in our twin island Republic.

ENDS

Issued by:-

Public Information, Education and Community Outreach Unit

For further information, please contact:-

Dike Noel, Public Information Specialist, ODPM

868 640 1285 ext 14240 / publicinfo.odpm@gmail.comor visit : www.unisdr.org