EFDRR 2021 took place in Portugal

Portugal hosted The European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction under the patronage of the country's government, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

In November, delegations from 48 countries discussed strengthening regional and sub-regional cooperation to implement the Sendai Agenda (UNDRR) and the EFDRR 2021-2030 Roadmap for Climate and Disaster Resilient Europe and Central Asia.

The UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mami Mizutori, also took part in the forum.

The cross-cutting theme of the meeting was the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of cross-border cooperation to neutralize risks and threats, as well as the need for a new social contract for inclusive approaches and increased funding for structures performing functions of social consolidation.

Based on the main purpose of the forum, it was logical to invest in new and environmentally friendly infrastructure systems and services to solve the problem of potentially hazardous facilities.

Participants emphasized that the systemic nature of risks, cascading and complex interdependencies require innovation in critical infrastructure systems.

Special attention was paid to the role of local authorities in increasing the resilience and the ability of cities to accelerate the achievement of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a special emphasis on interaction between cities. It is no coincidence that the city of Matosinhos was chosen as the venue for the meeting, as UNDRR's traditional practice of involving municipalities of various sizes and administrative levels.

Photo EFDRR 2021