Sendai Statement
Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management for Sustainable Development
Joint Statement by the Minister of Finance of Japan, Mr. Koriki Jojima and the World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim
October 10, 2012 Sendai, JAPAN
We thank the distinguished guests f or attending the Sendai Dialogue, on mainstreaming disaster risk management (DRM ) in national development strategies and international cooperation, a special event co-hosted by us in the program of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings. This Dialogue will further strengthen the global commitment for managing disaster risks for resilient growth and development.
We extend our solidarity to those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and salute a great and resilient people as they continue on their road to recovery.
The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami will remain a tragic reminder that no country or community is totally safe from adverse natural events. Disasters have a major human and economic impact, which is likely to increase as a result of urbanization, climate change and other factors. Once a disaster occurs, the achievements of long-term development efforts may disappear in an instant.
We highlight the dividends of investing in resilient social, physical and economic infrastructure, which saves lives; reduces demand for humanitarian action; and minimizes reconstruction costs. We endorse the need for a comprehensive approach to DRM, ba sed on an improved understanding of risks that informs policy planning and investment programs. We also reaffirm the need for action at every level of society, from national government to local businesses, civil society and communities.
We are undertaking a joint study to learn lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. In J apan, the culture of prevention that people learn from experiences of past disasters has been nurtured, and various measures for disaster risk management have been implemented. While the earthquake had minimal impact due to this culture in Japan, the tsunami unleashed extreme devastation to life and property, showing the residual risk of even the best prepared country from exceptional disasters. We aim to broadcast J apan’s experience in disaster prevention, preparedness, res ponse, and recovery through the s tudy which distils lessons from Japan for other at-risk countries and communities.
We urge national government and development partners to embrace the recommendations of the Sendai Report, and to accelerate efforts to integrate disaster risk management in all development policy and investment programs. We call for a stronger emphasis in international development assista nce in support of national efforts to pro-actively manage growing disaster risks.
We emphasize the importance of increasing technical assistance and financial support to vulnerable developing countries for building resilience to disasters in vulnerable countries, including the usage of Japanese know-how and expertise, and extending knowledge and partnerships to support DRM p olicies and programs, including through open knowledge platforms and the cultivation of a global community of practice.
Finally, we will carry forward the messages of the Sendai Dialogue to the Development Committee in Tokyo and beyond to sensitize international stakeholders, governments and peoples on the urgency and rationale of mainstreaming disaster risk management in support of poverty reduction, sustainable development and growth.