Official Statement of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR 2022)

Hon’ble Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

Bangladesh is now in the leading position of disaster management activities in linewith the Sendai Frameworkfor DisasterRisk Reduction(SFDRR).

According to the UNESCAP Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2019, 77.6% of population of Bangladesh is living high-multi-hazard risk area. This is the highest rate among the Asia-Pacific countries.Therefore, Bangladesh has been put highly importance on disaster risk reductionsince independent.

The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated for establishingthe concept of disaster risk reduction(DRR)for the nation, and established Cyclone PreparednessProgram (CPP) reflecting from the bitter experience of 1970 Severe Cyclone.

Along with his spirit, Hon’ble Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina, the worthy daughter of Bangabandhu, has been taking great initiatives to reduce disaster riskstowards building a resilient nation. Resulting from long time endeavor, CPP under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief was awarded 2021 UN Public Service Award in December 2021.

Enhancing Disaster Risk Governance

During only the period between GP2019 and GP2022, Bangladesh has producedmany important policy documents such as National Plan for Disaster Management 2021-2025, Standing Orders on Disaster 2019 (SOD 2019), Strategy on Internal Displacement 2021 under the purviewof Disaster Management Act 2012.

These policies are key drivers for enhancing effective disaster risk governancefrom central to local government leveland formainstreaming DRR in the development planning and budgeting process. For effective disaster risk governanceup to the last mile, Bangladesh has been promoting youth engagement in DRR. We have more than 5million volunteersand theyare working forpreparedness, rescue and emergency response stagesandstandingwith their community.

COVID-19 Recovery

Bangladesh is achieving LDC graduation status in COVID-19 situation. Amid pandemic situation, severe cyclone“Amphan” hit Bangladesh and series of monsoon floodsaffected many places in the nation. Though several systematic and combine disastershappened for last 2 years, Bangladesh could minimizedamages through whole of society approach.

The Government of Bangladesh is confident that investment in disaster risk reduction and preparedness for any disasters are going proper way. All collective efforts for establishing effective and inclusive disaster risk reduction and applying build back better approach for recovery systemare resulting in reducing loss of lives, protecting assets and livelihoods in the pandemic situation, andplayed a critical role for LDC graduation of Bangladesh.

DRR Financing

In line withthe Priority 3 of SFDRR, Bangladeshisensuring the steady increase of investment for DRR sector. Total 8.8 % of National Budget allocated to DRR Sector for last 5 years. In the 8th National Five-Year Plan from2021 to 2025, around 9to 11% of National Budget will be allocated to DRR sectors even in the pandemic situation. Lookingback of ourhistory, we could drastically reduce the loss of lives from disasters through continuous DRR investment. As a one of the most disaster-prone country, Government of Bangladesh is confident that only the investment in disaster risk reduction and preparedness can save the people and future of the nation.

Sendai Stock Taking

Regarding the Cyclone disaster, Bangladesh is achieving the four priorities of SFDRR and became the model country for realizing disaster risk reduction.

Learning from long history with tacklingcyclones,people well understandthe cyclone risks and habituatesthe early warning and early action systems. Active central and local disaster management committee with 5 million volunteers guiding by SOD 2019, Bangladesh has established robust disaster risk governance system.

Since independence, Bangladesh has continued to invest on disaster related infrastructures. Now Bangladesh has modern weather radar technology with advance forecasting system for Cyclone and more than 5,500 inclusive multi-purpose cyclone shelters. Theseare providing reliable early warning information and safe evacuation places for the people.

In the occasion of GPDRR 2022 and Mid-Term Review of SFDRR, Government of Bangladesh would like to urge all the countries to look back the original Vision and Policy of agreed Sendai Framework and work together for reducing disaster risk through increase DRR investment and protect people & properties towards sustainable development.

Leave No One Behind

Bangladesh is implementing many DRR activities withthe person with disability, elderly people, women and children.

Government of Bangladesh organized the first World Conference on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Management in 2015, known as Dhaka Conference after adoption of SFDRR. Outcome of that conference was Dhaka Declaration, which has been endorsed by AMCDRR 2016 at New Delhi and Urged to all countries through the Chair’s Summary of Cancun GP2017.

Bangladesh organized 2nd International Conference on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Management in May 2018 at Dhaka as well. Outcome of “Dhaka Declaration+” was also recognized at AMCDRR 2018 at Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. In the last GP2019, we have organized the Side Event to promote more inclusive approach on disaster risk reduction towards no one leave behind. In the GP2022, we are organizing the important Side Event for ensuring inclusive DRR. We are fully committedand trying to realize the inclusive disaster resiliencesociety.

SDGs and Climate Actions

Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to the long-term impacts of Climate Changes. With high multi-hazard risks associated with extreme weather, there are several challenges including chronic salinity intrusion due to strong surge, sea level rise, flooding, riverbank erosion, agricultural drought, environmental degradation etc.

As projected by different studies, the effects of climate change will be more severe in future. Therefore, Bangladesh promotesmore disaster related investment for robust infrastructures in a planned way through risk informed land use plan. For recognizing the hazard and risks correctly, it is clear for Bangladesh to accumulate more disaster related data and information so that we can take proper action proactively.

Hon’ble Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

Finally, we would like to express our firm commitment to carry outthe SFDRR agenda, to build a safer country and a safer world with the cooperation of all member states and development partners.

Thank you all.