Latest news with #GP2025
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
SM Prime's Hans Sy champions private sector leadership in disaster resilience at UNDRR Global Platform 2025
Hans Sy speaking in the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland. Photo from Antoine Tardy for the UNDRR. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction (DRR) during the 2025 Global Platform of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), held in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing the Philippine private sector at the Ministerial Roundtable on 'Accelerating Financing and Resilience,' Sy underscored how businesses can help drive scalable, science-based resilience solutions. Private sector as a force multiplier in DRR 'Resilience strengthens businesses while safeguarding lives and communities,' Sy stated. 'We know the government cannot do it alone. The private sector is ready to do more.' Sy underscores the need for policies, incentives, and institutional support to scale up disaster risk reduction investments at the UNDRR Global Platform 2025. He cited SM Prime's integrated approach to DRR, which includes allocating a significant portion of project costs to disaster-resilient infrastructure and applying science-driven planning frameworks. Sy also pointed to cross-sector initiatives such as the Adopt-a-City Program with the National Resilience Council and joint capacity-building programs with ARISE Philippines and the Department of Trade and Industry as examples of effective public-private partnerships. Embedding resilience into core business strategy In a High-Level Dialogue on scaling DRR financing, Sy outlined SM Prime's approach to mainstreaming resilience across its developments. He highlighted features such as elevated mall structures, built-in rainwater catchment systems, and earthquake-resistant designs—solutions that have minimized disruption and enabled rapid recovery in the face of disaster. The SM Mall of Asia Complex features a higher seawall and elevated design to guard against rising sea levels. (Inset) Deep, wide drainage channels—large enough to fit two buses side by side—further protect the area from storm surge flooding. Call to scale resilience investment To expand DRR financing, Sy called for enabling mechanisms that combine policy support, institutional cooperation, and targeted incentives. 'From the standpoint of the private sector, financial, non-financial and regulatory incentives are among the most effective ways to accelerate investment in resilience,' he noted. His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term thinking in building resilient communities. SM Prime's leadership in DRR continues to set a benchmark for sustainable development in disaster-prone regions. 'Together, we can embed resilience to build a sustainable and secure future for all,' he concluded. The article above is a sponsored press release from SM Prime Holdings.
India.com
04-06-2025
- General
- India.com
‘We Don't Just Respond…': India's Message That Stole The Show In Geneva
Geneva/New Delhi: The world's top crisis minds gathered in Geneva on June 4. India made noise. Loud and clear – 'we are not only part of the conversation, we are leading it'. Dr. P.K. Mishra, principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on May 3 represented India at the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva. It grabbed global attention for India's escalating leadership role in tackling one of the gravest threats of the 21st century – disaster vulnerability in a climate-rattled world. Co-hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Government of Switzerland, the event witnessed Dr Mishra reiterating with emphasis India's ironclad commitment to the Sendai Framework – a global strategy to drastically reduce disaster risks and protect lives, economies and ecosystems. 'India is not only preparing for disasters, we are also redefining how nations build resilience,' he conveyed at the opening ceremony, igniting applause from a global audience of policymakers, scientists and humanitarian leaders. The India at UN Mission in Geneva echoed the sentiment with a statement on X (formerly Twitter), 'Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P.K. Mishra participates in the opening ceremony of the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, reinforcing India's commitment to global disaster resilience efforts.' Principal Secretary to PM Dr PK Mishra delivered India's statement at the GPDRR 2025 in Geneva He said, "...India believes that a robust and responsive DRR financing architecture is a cornerstone of experience underlines the importance of predetermined… — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2025 What's at Stake at GP2025 Taking place from June 2–6, 2025, GP2025 is no ordinary gathering. It is the world's top forum to assess how far countries have come and how much further they must go in meeting the targets of the Sendai Framework adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. This year's summit takes on even greater urgency, aiming to translate the 2023 UN Political Declaration on Disaster Risk Reduction into real-world action. As natural disasters become fiercer and more frequent, GP2025 is laser-focused on one question – are countries truly ready? India's presence at the platform is not symbolic, it is strategic. With recent strides in building earthquake-resilient infrastructure, cyclone warning systems and disaster response forces, India is positioning itself as both a global contributor and knowledge exporter in disaster risk reduction. From floods in the northeast to heatwaves in the heartland, India is on the frontlines of climate-driven catastrophes. But instead of retreating, it is using that hard-earned experience to shape international frameworks and push for locally driven and globally scalable solutions. Why the World is Watching India With India slated to host major regional disaster planning meets in 2026 and playing a pivotal role in South-South cooperation, experts say the nation's disaster management model could emerge as a template for the Global South. 'India's participation is not symbolic, it reflects a shift. The world is learning from India,' said a senior UNDRR official on the sidelines of the Geneva forum. In Geneva this week, India showed the world how to stand tall when the ground shakes.
India Gazette
03-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Principal Secy to PM PK Mishra represents India at 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Geneva [Switzerland], June 3 (ANI): Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, represented India at the opening ceremony of the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva on Tuesday, underscoring India's steadfast commitment to global disaster resilience efforts through active participation and knowledge sharing. The event, jointly hosted by the United Nations for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Government of Switzerland, saw India reaffirm its dedication to the Sendai Framework, aligning with its national policies to reduce disaster risks. 'Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P.K. Mishra participates in the opening ceremony of 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, reinforcing India's commitment to global disaster resilience efforts,' the India at UN in Geneva posted on X. According to the UN, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is the main global forum to assess and discuss progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The eighth session of the Global Platform (GP2025) organised by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) from June 2 to 6, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the Government of Switzerland. The event will be co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland and UNDRR. The event is expected to assess and discuss progress made in the implementation of the recommendations put forward through the Political Declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly in May 2023 and to give practical guidance to accelerate its further implementation. GP2025 offers a chance for all stakeholders to recommit, with urgency, to accelerate progress on disaster risk reduction towards the achievement of sustainable development. The GP2025 agenda will be guided by the Sendai Framework, in particular its goal, four priorities for action and seven global targets, as well as the key priorities identified in the midterm review of the Sendai Framework, GP2022 Co-Chairs' Summary and Regional Platform meetings that will take place in 2024. Endorsed by the UN General Assembly following the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR), the Sendai Framework advocates for: The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. It recognises that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders, including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders. UNDRR is tasked with supporting the implementation, follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework. (ANI)
