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European Forum On Disaster Risk Reduction

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Rome, November 21st - 23nd 2018

In recent years, it has become increasingly important for governments and stakeholders to exchange experiences on successful practices and innovative approaches to prevent, reduce and manage disaster risk. Natural disasters have become more frequent and more serious. In fact, 2017 was the costliest year ever in terms of economic losses caused by global weather disasters, with a global cost estimated around 330-bn USD.

In order to examine this new reality while addressing regional challenges and finding cross-border solutions to prevent disaster risks, Italy hosted the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction (EFDRR) in Rome, November 21st- 23rd. Roughly 800 participants, among which 100 speakers, from 56 different countries joined the biennial EFDRR, an occasion to take stock of the 2015-2020 European Roadmap for the implementation of the Sendai Framework. The agreement adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster risk Reduction in 2015 recognizes the primary role of States and the shared responsibility of the public and private sectors to achieve its goals.

Enel Foundation was a contributor of the EFDDR 2018 event, in line with its commitments to support the UNISDR - United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction - through the participation in ARISE , the UN lead private sector alliance, and the active participation locally and globally as member of the steering committee of the “Making Cities Resilient” Campaign. In Italy thanks to its collaboration with e-distribuzione and ANCI, Enel Foundation has been involved in sharing knowledge on resilience and the crucial role of adequate  systemic preparation and prevention.  

 

The economic case for disaster risk reduction

On November 22nd Livio Gallo, Head of Global Infrastructure and Networks at Enel and Enel Foundation Board Member, joined the plenary session of the event advocating the economic case for DRR. Mr. Gallo shared Enel extensive experience in infrastructure management and the tremendous attention to risk assessment, prevention and preparation in case of emergency in each of the countries were the group operates. He also highlighted the importance of innovative forms of partnership for the protection of the territory and environment to ensure a resilience and sustainable future for all.

On the same day, the cities of Amalfi, Catania, Center Skopje, Maiori, Pescara, Rimini and Tramonti received the UNISDR certificate for joining the global campaign “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready” confirming the commitment of a growing numbers of forward looking local authorities. The ceremony, which signaled also the achievement of more than 4.000 participating cities in the campaign, including 150 in Italy, was attended by Ms. Mami Mitzuori, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Angelo Borrelli, Head of Italy's Civil Protection Department, Agostino Miozzo, General Director of the Civil Protection Department, and Carlo Papa, Director of Enel Foundation.>

Carlo Papa commented, “success in managing the humanitarian and economic challenges pose by natural disasters can only be reached if we share responsibility and align action plans conscious that systems will either stand together or fall together.” 

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