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<html> <head> <meta name="generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 10"> <meta http-equiv="content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <style> p { margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px } body { font-family: "Arial", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal } </style> </head> <body> January 20, 2005 (12:55 EST) No. 12 CANADA’S STATEMENT AT KOBE CONFERENCE   Canada delivered a statement today at the second World Conference on Disaster Reduction taking place in Kobe, Japan, from January 18 to 22, 2005. - 30 - The Statement is attached. For further information, media representatives may contact: Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs Canada (613) 995-1874 <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221014218/http://www.international.gc.ca/">http://www.international.gc.ca</a> CANADA’S STATEMENT WORLD CONFERENCE ON DISASTER REDUCTION On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to thank the Government of Japan for hosting the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, as well as the Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction for all its support toward ensuring a successful conference. This conference presents us with a critical opportunity to share lessons learned and good practices gained by states in recent years—and even weeks—in response to natural disasters and other hazards. The devastating loss of life and livelihoods as a result of the disaster which recently struck Asia and East Africa has captivated the world’s attention in an unprecedented way. Coupled with the catastrophic hurricane season last fall in the Caribbean, these disasters have reinforced what the people of Kobe learned a decade ago—that the development and implementation of comprehensive disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies for all hazards are the best defence that we have against the formidable forces of nature. The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Paul Martin, is currently visiting Asia, including Japan. In the last few days, he visited some of the areas in the region which have been hardest hit by the December 26 tsunami. His visit highlights Canada’s long tradition of providing substantial support to people affected by natural disasters, wherever they take place. It further highlights Canada’s long-term commitment to working cooperatively with all partners on disaster reduction, including preparedness and mitigation. In this respect, Canada supports calls for a global multi-hazard early warning system, and the Prime Minister has affirmed our commitment to working cooperatively with Asian nations, within a multilateral framework, on a tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean region.   Further, national governments and the international community must mainstream disaster reduction into development programming and public education programs, in order to build the capacity of vulnerable communities, countries and regions to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. For instance, better natural resource management practices can lead to better protection against hazards. Toward this end, I am pleased to announce that Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will invest one million dollars toward a global project to mainstream disaster reduction into the poverty reduction, governance and environment portfolios of the United Nations Development Programme in 2005. Increasing education and training on natural disaster reduction, especially in disaster-prone countries, is an essential capacity-building tool and central to disaster prevention. Canada prioritizes capacity building at the country and regional levels through the United Nations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, NGOs and community-based organizations. And in this spirit, we have made significant investments in disaster reduction efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last decade. Given their global reach and proximity to affected communities, I am also pleased to note that CIDA will contribute a further $1 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for disaster preparedness and capacity building of national societies. Canada, through various government departments as well as non-governmental organizations, has also been pleased to share its technical expertise and collaborate with disaster-prone countries in the areas of sustainable development, emergency telecommunications and geomatics. In the Pacific region, for instance, we are involved in international research projects focused on earthquake, tsunami and volcano hazard assessments and early warning, and engaged in integrated hazard assessment and mitigation initiatives. Domestically, in 2004, the Government of Canada announced a comprehensive new National Security Policy, entitled “Securing an Open Society.” The policy highlights priorities and new resources for establishing a seamless and integrated national emergency management system to meet the challenges of protecting modern Canadian society from the effects of increasingly complex emergencies. A feature of our approach is the close collaboration between all levels of government—federal, provincial and territorial and municipal—which is key to meeting the needs of our citizens. I am also very pleased to announce that Canada will be developing its first-ever National Disaster Mitigation Strategy. The Strategy will focus Canadian efforts at all levels and is aimed at reducing risks and the impact of natural disasters. Proposed amendments to Canada’s Emergency Preparedness Act will strengthen disaster mitigation in comprehensive emergency management in Canada. The goal is to reduce the risk and severity of future natural hazards and disasters. To effectively implement disaster reduction and public safety measures, close partnerships between government and civil society are required. I am pleased to report that, in this spirit, the Canadian official delegation to this conference includes three non-governmental representatives. A relevant example of how civil society can contribute to our common objectives is the Canadian Risk and Hazards Network. This network of scholars and practitioners will work with the United Nation’s Commission on Sustainable Development’s Partnerships on Sustainable Development, under the collaborative approach promoted by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. This gathering in Kobe will enable the international community to build on previous commitments made during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, including the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action, as well as the Johannesburg Plan of Action. Indeed, during the course of the International Decade, the international community developed a greater global awareness of the social and economic consequences of natural disasters. We have seen again and again how a natural disaster can cause suffering and undermine years of development work. There is no longer any doubt that developing and implementing disaster reduction policies are wise investments. The agenda we set in Kobe is an urgent one and the framework for action we establish must be pragmatic and action-oriented, so that together we can reduce global vulnerability to natural disasters and the havoc they create. Canada is pleased to participate in this World Conference and is committed to doing its part in support of international disaster reduction efforts. We look forward to building on the momentum created here in Kobe, and collaborating closely with all partners present. Thank you. </body> </html>

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Last Updated: 2006-10-30	Top of Page	Important Notices