GFDRR has been encouraging the integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA), promoting a climate smart risk reduction agenda that builds the foundations for sustainable adaptive capacity of the poor. In an effort to advance the dialogue on climate smart disaster risk management, GFDRR co-hosted a Policy Forum on October 26, 2009, where approximately 100 representatives of governments, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector gathered in Stockholm, Sweden. The Forum focused on how national policy and practice relates to three critical challenges:
1. Promoting regional cooperation to address trans-boundary issues;
2. Supporting local level actors;
3. Facilitating and making use of private markets related to adaptation activities.
Participants were asked to share their experience and to generate key messages and recommendations for critical actions that would contribute to the adaptive capacity of the poor. To learn more about the discussions that took place and the recommendations made by participants, please see the Policy Forum’s Summary Report.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Stockholm Policy Forum was the call for an integrated approach to climate risk management. As a result, a joint communiqué was signed by the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), which also co-sponsored the Forum. The statement emphasizes the institutions’ commitment to promote this integrated approach and their respective support to adaptation efforts. The joint communiqué will be used internally within each organization to promote cross-disciplinary dialogue and cooperation and will also be used to facilitate similar commitments from other donor agencies.