WORKING SESSION

Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction Including Building Codes

Brief Concept Note

Brief

1.  Why is this topic important?

Despite an abundance of scientific and technical information, disasters still result in ever increasing human, environmental and economic losses, with the latter estimated at 100 USD billion per year globally.

The use of standards is an important strategy in meeting this challenge. Standards are essential to economic activity, trade and infrastructure, as well protecting community wellbeing in important areas such as health and the environment. The implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction will be greatly enhanced through the use of mainstream standards.

The value of using standards is that they can provide immediate benefits by improving economic performance as well as developing resilience to disasters which erode or destroy development achievements. For example, the Risk Management Standard is now applied very widely as a core part of good governance in both the public and private sectors. An estimated 65% of the world’s population live in countries that have adopted the international Risk Management Standard.

Building codes are very important to make houses resilient to earthquakes, storms and floods. Earthquakes are a leading cause of human loss, with thousands of preventable deaths each year caused by the collapse of houses and buildings.

Disruption and damage to business causes huge economic losses to communities and to the private sector. Standards on business continuity and disaster management are essential to protect and enhance sustainable development and infrastructure.

The international standards provide a framework for national institutions and local actors to develop efficient and effective solutions which balance development needs and the potential for disasters erode their development achievements.

The successful implementation ofa post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction will need standards that provide a common terminology and process, promote accountability and good governance.

2.  What gaps need to be filled?

The session will address the following gaps:

·  Existing standards and codes need to be integrated into disaster risk reduction activities. This can be addressed by identifying areas in which relevant standards are missing or inadequate. Partnerships need to be established with international standards bodies to include disaster risk reduction perspectives, For example business continuity and disaster management, also safety levels between newly constructed buildings and existing buildings.

·  There is a need to enhance the integration of standards, regulatory frameworks and assurance programs to ensure better implementation and outcomes. Standards and codes are only valuable if they are imbedded in regulatory frameworks and backed up by assurance programs. In building construction it is important to fill gaps between building codes and buildings constructed.

·  There is a lack of awareness of the importance of the use of national and international standards. There is not a strong link between people working in disaster risk reduction and their national and international standards institutions.

·  There is a need to make standards more accessible, through appropriate handbooks, materials and education programs. Capacity building for stakeholders such as policy makers, businesses, engineers, regulators, infrastructure builders and managers, municipalities and insurance providers.

·  There is a lack of harmony between disaster risk reduction and mainstream approaches to managing risk. There are great opportunities to both to learn from each other.

3.  What commitments are expected?

Commitments related to:

•  Initiatives for making disaster risk reduction-related standards more accessible.

•  Projects to build awareness and capacity on implementing disaster risk reduction-related standards.

•  Partnerships between national and international standards bodies and across the disaster risk reduction community.

•  Mobilize existing networks on building codes to enhance the sharing of knowledge and experience.

Concept Note

Schedule / Tuesday 17 March 2015, 14:00-15:30
Room and Venue / Hagi Hall, Sendai International Conference Centre
Organizing Team / Government of Japan, UNESCO, UNECE, ITU
Contributors UNOPS, WHO, UNAIDS, WMO, UNHABITAT ,ISO, IEC, World Bank, UNWTO, WFP.
UNISDR Focal Point / Sanjaya Bhatia ()
Background and Rationale / Standards are fundamental to the development and functioning of communities and economies. The management of risk is now mainstreamed into business strategies and is used by many regulatory authorities, civil society and governments. For example:
·  Japan has been a key participant in the development of the international risk management standard and has pioneered its adoption across the private sector.
·  Australia mandates that regulatory and policy authorities establish a risk oversight and management system aligned with international risk management standard which allows them to monitor the achievement of policy goals and to design lines of accountability.
·  UNESCO has been a leader in the promoting building safety, developing international network for knowledge sharing, developing guidelines and policy recommendation for better implementation of building regulation.
·  Relating to building codes, Japan has long a history of experiences of building code revision, implementation, capacity building and raising awareness through repetitive mega earthquakes. It also has lessons learned at the Great East Earthquake in March 2011 in Sendai.
It will be essential to assist organizations to access and implement international standards and facilitate their adoption through their national standards bodies.
Communities and economies depend on the performance of infrastructure as a complex interdependent system in normal times and in disasters. Efficient and resilient infrastructure is fundamental to achieving development and quality of life for everyone. Technical and institutional bodies require guidance to design, build and operate infrastructure at all times including during disasters. This will also require regulatory frameworks and assurance programs.
Session Objectives / To share the importance of international and national standards to be a key part of the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction by demonstrating best practice on how risk management standards are used by authorities across jurisdictions to set policy, design and implement regulations and provide assurance to stakeholders. They can span sectors to ensure the best outcomes in meeting development goals and disaster risk reduction.
To share the importance of implementation of standards using the case of building codes by demonstrating the policies and practices for securing safety of houses and buildings from earthquake and other natural hazards in countries over the world. Highlight the need for capacity building in the public sector and for engineers. Demonstrate engineering innovation by using E-defense and land use.
Discussion agenda and structure / First panel discussion: How can national and international standards support a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction implementation? (45 minutes)
Facilitated discussion and conclusions
Second panel discussion: How can we manage risks by using building codes? (45 minutes)
Facilitated discussion and conclusions
Expected outcomes / ·  Shared and documented experiences, of good practices and innovations in the use of standards and codes.
·  Demonstrated value of international and national standards in the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.
·  Commitments to the development and implementation of standards and codes for cost effective and efficient disaster risk reduction.
·  Policy recommendations on standards and codes and their implementation for safer buildings and resilient infrastructure.
·  Commitments to new initiatives for making disaster risk reduction-related standards and codes more accessible through appropriate handbooks and education.
·  Formation of partnerships with national and international standards bodies and the disaster risk reduction community.
Commitment / special announcement in support of a post-2015 framework for DRR / Major related stakeholders’ commitment on implementing the post HFA on this issue.
Expected number of participants / 200-300
Background documents / -

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