National Statement by Finland at the Seventh Session of theGlobal Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The importance of Disaster Risk Reduction and effective implementation of the Sendai Framework is growing exponentially.Today, the need for the thorough understanding of risk is perhaps more understood than ever.Focusing on multifaceted and interconnected nature of risks allows us to be more prepared also for the new and unexpected risks the future might bring. The good news is that we can achieve great things when we invest in disaster risk reduction and Finland remains fully committed in disaster risk reduction both nationally and through our international partnerships. This 7th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is not only an important milestone for the implementation and stock-taking but also a much awaited opportunity to come together to share and learn from each other from the countless success stories of reducing disaster risk.

Cross-sectoral collaboration and inter-institutional knowledge sharing are at the core of Finland’s approach to meet the objectives of the Sendai Framework.Through regular discussions at National Sendai Network 25 entities consisting of ministries, national agencies and non-governmental organisations have an opportunity to share best practices on concrete work done to advance disaster risk reduction in Finland as well as to understand the needs for further efforts. The network has been instrumental in breaking down the silos, which existence undermines the potential of individual efforts. At the same time, the network builds the national resilience by strengthening collaboration and transparency between the network members.This is a practical implementation of the multi-stakeholder cooperation -the comprehensive security model engaging stakeholders from the public-and the private sector to build the national engagement for example in DRR.Catalysing more investments towards DRR is crucial in order to meet the targets of Sendai framework. Private sector is one important partner in improving the disaster resilience of our societies as a whole. Finnish private sector has a lot of knowledge and solutions in this area.

Finland highly values our excellent collaboration with UNDRR. We have supported UNDRR during2018-2021 with 5 million eurosof un-earmarked core-funding and our support to UNDRR’s work continues. The importance of disaster risk reduction is visible also through our development aid portfolio where over 50 programmes with elements of DRR were funded in 2021. In addition, our joint efforts with UNDRR in ensuring disability inclusive disaster risk reduction are an essential part of our strategic partnership. The promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities is a long-standing priority in Finland’s development and foreign policy.Ensuring that persons with disabilities can fully exercise their rights, is a prerequisite for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We firmly believe that active participation of persons with disabilities themselves is a cornerstone of disability-inclusive societies. Persons with disabilities, in particular women with disabilities, must be included in all issues affecting them.For this reason, and as declared in our commitment delivered at the secondGlobal Disability Summit in February, Finland will work towards strengthening disability inclusive disaster risk reduction through improved representation and participation of organization of persons with disabilities, including organizations of women with disabilities. We look forward to our further collaboration with UNDRR in highlighting the urgent need for disability inclusive approaches in disaster risk reduction.