Side event hosted by the MIKTA group ‘Removing barriers and promoting public-private cooperation in disaster risk reduction’ (Cancun, Mexico 22-26 May 2017)

Fifth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Cancun, Mexico 22-26 May 2017

Side event hosted by the MIKTA group

Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, chaired a MIKTA panel on ‘Removing barriers and promoting public-private cooperation in disaster risk reduction’ at the Fifth Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Cancun, Mexico between 22-26 May 2017.  The five panellists responded to questions on a range of topics, including: motivators for developing public-private partnerships; government action to build on private sector experience; strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and across society; enabling business investment through government policies; the responsibility of businesses to invest in the resilience of critical infrastructure over the long-term; civil society expectations of the business sector in supporting disaster risk reduction; and improving stakeholders’ understanding of the importance of mitigation.

The public and private sectors have a shared interest in reducing disaster risk.  Disasters affect the delivery of public services and they disrupt business activity. They cause damage to public assets and they erode the profitability of private investments.  Accordingly, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction calls for inclusive, whole-of-society approaches to disaster risk management.  The business sector has extensive knowledge, ideas and resources on risk management that can accelerate efforts to strengthen community resilience.  Governments need to harness and support these capabilities.  However, deeper public-private collaboration is required to yield benefits for all stakeholders – governments, businesses and communities alike.

The Cancun event highlighted good practices of public-private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction and building community resilience in MIKTA countries and discussed different mechanisms for collaboration.