Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 |23 May 2023

The Seychelles delegation at the meeting: Aisha Rachel (left) and Minister Fonseka (right). Also present was Seychelles’ ambassador to the US, Ian Madeleine (centre)

Minister Fonseka attends high-level meeting in New York

The Minister for Internal Affairs, Errol Fonseka, attended a high-level meeting on the midterm review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, in New York.

The meeting took place in the United Nations headquarters from May 17 - 19, under the theme ‘Working Together to Reduce Risk for a Resilient Future’.

The minister was accompanied by Aisha Rachel, a representative of Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD), the head of Planning and Preparedness Unit.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted at the third UN world conference in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan on March 18, 2015, following the Hyogo Framework for Action of 2005-2015 highlighted as ‘Building Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disaster’.

On his first day the minister met with Mami Mizutori, special representative of the secretary-general for Disaster Risk Reduction. During their meeting Ms Mizutori reassured United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction’s (UNDRR) commitment in supporting Seychelles.

Minister Fonseka emphasised on small island developing states (Sids) and how “there is a need to foster the culture of resilience among our nations”.

The meeting was an opportunity for Ms Mizutori to engage with all member states prior to the high-level meeting which took place on May 18-19.

Minister Fonseka co-chaired a round table with Raed Arafat, state secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Romania. The discussion focused on governing disaster risk in fragile ecosystems.

During the high-level meeting the minister delivered his address, expressing gratitude for the support pledged by UNDRR in facilitating the collection of disaster loss related data which will update information related to Seychelles on the Desinventar platform. This will help in making evidence-based decisions towards resilience and preparedness implementation programmes.

Minister Fonseka stated that, “in responding to disasters, which usually come without warning, flexibility and adaptability should be principles that feature in the allocation of financial assistance. The potential for major disasters within the Indian Ocean is very worrying due to the level of the increase of the world’s commercial maritime traffic and the rising level of organised crime within the western Indian Ocean”.

He continued by stating, “security and safety, which are non-traditional security issues are clear and present threats that impend our existence. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, drugs and human trafficking all add to the negative impact on our environment and our coastal livelihood”.

The minister expressed that the meeting further cements the government’s commitment in advancing disaster management in Seychelles through active collaborations with foreign partners.

He also commented on the shared experiences and knowledge gathered during the round table discussions.

The midterm review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is an opportunity for member countries to identify and implement renovations, innovations and course corrections to policy, practice, investment and cooperation to prevent, mitigate and reduce existing and emerging risk before 2030.

The high-level meeting aims to raise awareness and mutual understanding of integrated risk reduction in decision-making, investment, behaviour and best practices to address gaps and obstacles of commitments and plans to implementation in alignment with the Sendai Framework.

Press release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs