Sunday, March 15, 2015

PRESENTED AT THE THIRD UNITED NATIONS WORLD CONFERENCE ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 14TH TO 18TH MARCH, 2015 SENDAI, JAPAN

COUNTRY STATEMENT BY HON. MIZENGO P. PINDA (MP), PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA PRESENTED AT THE THIRD UNITED NATIONS WORLD CONFERENCE ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 14TH TO 18TH MARCH, 2015 SENDAI, JAPAN


Chairperson;
Excellences Heads of States and Government;
Honorable Ministers;
Distinguished Participants;
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a great honour to participate in this Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which brings together distinguished Leaders and Technocrats from all over the World. This gathering is a testimony of the importance we all attach to disaster risk reduction in the world.



Chairperson;
On behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, allow me to congratulate you the Chairperson and other members of the Bureau, on your election to preside over this important Conference. Let me also on behalf of my delegation convey my sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan for a warm welcome accorded to my delegation since our arrival in this beautiful Country and also for agreeing and supporting the hosting of this important Conference.







We also applaud the UN and Member States for their contributions that culminated to this important World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, whose objective is to review the Hyogo Framework into a successor regime for Disaster Reduction which will be consistent to the Post 2015 Development Agenda. We believe that this Conference will provide yet another opportunity to renew our collective commitments to review and jointly tackle disaster related problems facing our Countries and World at large taking into account the sustainability paradigm and climate change challenges.






Chairperson,
The outcome of Rio +20 “the future we want” ultimately defined the future approach in our socio economic development and resilience that take into account disaster risk concerns. The Rio Principles defined in clear terms the manner in which the World should address the current and future global challenges. Disaster Risk Reduction is one of those issues that call for a new approach consistent with current sustainable development paradigm.

My delegation views are that the successor Hyogo Framework II to be adopted here in Sendai should scale up the level of ambitions in addressing the disasters and risks that are currently challenging our Countries. Hyogo Framework II should not lose sight that the Post 2015 Development Agenda which has culminated to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a successor of MDGs which will continue to be a blue print that   will address unfinished business of MDGs and thus, building resilience in the communities will help to support new goals that will retain progress made at the Country level under the previous Hyogo Framework (2006).


Chairperson,
In focusing on the current outcome document under the negotiations, It should be recalled that the new Disaster Risk Reduction framework ultimately will become the point of reference for Governments and practitioners when it comes to   its implementation. We are aware that a critical mass of political concession is needed to agree on a document that will provide guidance to all of us and form a means of implementation for Hyogo Framework II.

 On the basis of the foregoing, my delegation is of the view that Countries are not equal in terms of their capability to finance the implementation of the outcome document. It is also true that we cannot bear equal responsibilities as such. The inclusion of the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) as part of the new framework, as mentioned in the compilation text of the Sendai Declaration is vitally important.

Tanzania is satisfied with the balance achieved by the Open Working Group (OWG) on SDGs, in particular goal 17 on Means of Implementation. We recommend a similar approach to the adoption of Disaster Risk Reduction framework.


Chairperson;
Looking at the Continent, we are noticing that disasters are on the rise, in terms of their magnitude and impact. Every year, disasters not only deprive millions of people of food security, access to clean drinking water, social and economic services, but also reverse development gains and impede further socio-economic progress. In addition, the enormous humanitarian relief necessitated as a result of preventable disasters diverts billions  of US Dollars, which could have been used in engagements to enhance prosperity of the people. In this context, my delegation fully subscribes to the Statement of the African group, and that addressing issues outlined therein, would indeed address the many challenges faced by Africa in General and the United Republic of Tanzania in particular.


Chairperson;
As for Tanzania, my Country is exposed to multitude of hazards that have had far-reaching consequences impeding our socio-economic growth. Climate change, poverty, population pressure and environmental degradation amongst others, expose communities and households at a higher risk of disaster impact. Recent events include floods, epidemics, drought, fire, road accidents and marine accident. All these have impacted heavily on the economic development and leading to loss of lives, infrastructure destruction and disruption of livelihoods of our people.

Tanzania will continue to improve and increase investment in addressing the underlying risk factors on natural disasters in the communities and strengthening the Early Warning Systems. The emphasis on natural disasters is due to the fact that the majority of our people live in rural areas and most of their economic activities are climate and weather sensitive, in particular agriculture which also contributes a large share of Country’s GDP.

Chairperson;
In addressing the Country’s vulnerability to disasters, Tanzania is actively participating in global and regional initiatives for disaster risk reduction and has made considerable progress in the implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action, the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and The East Africa Community (EAC) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Strategy.

The Government will continue to enforce the incorporation of disaster risk reduction component into all development programmes implemented by each Government Department and Agency at all levels. The Government believes that disaster risk reduction is a cross cutting issue and should not be viewed as a separate discipline, rather should be integrated into the broad spectrum of development activities in a cross-sectoral approach.

Chairperson;
Drawing from their experience my Country has adopted an integrated risk reduction strategy to address the inadequacy of plans, legislations and initiated cross cutting institutional structures and systems in building resilience in the economy and the community at large under the first Hyogo Framework through capacity building. However, the efforts need to be scaled up in order to address the recurring disaster risks and increasing costs of recovery.

Chairperson,
In conclusion, Tanzania will provide full support to the new framework for disaster risk reduction and will collaborate with UN, International Community and Regional bodies to ensure the World and in particular our communities are resilience to disasters. Tanzania is fully committed to play its role in the Regional and Sub-regional context of implementation and ensuring that disaster risk reduction gets the attention it deserves, especially when addressing the underlying root cause of community vulnerability to disasters and hazards such as drought, floods, epidemics, pests and animal diseases. We would also like to give assurance that the Government of Tanzania will give full support on the efforts to find solutions to the challenges posed by disasters in order to make sure that, this World becomes a safer place for all of us and for the future generation.
Thank You for Your Attention






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