National Dialogue on Strengthening of the Disaster Risk Reduction System in the Republic of Serbia

On 25th and 26th of October 2010, a National Policy Dialogue (NPD) on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Serbia was held within the framework of the EU funded project: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in South-East Europe. The project is jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and national partners – the Sector of Emergency Management at the Ministry of Interior and the Republic Hydro Meteorological Service.

The first day of the dialogue opened by Mr. Predrag Maric, Assistant Minister and Head of Sector for Emergency Management at the Ministry of Interior and Mr. William S. Infante, UN Resident Coordinator was dedicated to expert level presentations and discussions and resulted with an agreement on the recommendations for strengthening the DRR system in Serbia and moving towards better compliance with the Hyogo Framework for Action. Welcoming participants, Mr. Maric emphasized full commitment of this institution to reducing risk from natural and man-made disasters. Mr. Infante underlined the importance of strengthening DRR capacity in Serbia and the commitment of UNDP Serbia in assisting the national authorities in their efforts to become fully compliant with the Hyogo Framework for Action. Welcome addresses were also given by Mr. Charles Baubion, on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization and Mr. Slavimir Stevanovic, the Assistant Director of the Republic Hydro Meteorological Service.

The expert part of the NPD was dedicated to presentations by UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), WMO and national institutions, and a discussion on the draft expert recommendations on the way forward in strengthening DRR in Serbia. A particular focus in improving prevention capability was given to the institutional capacity development of the Sector for Emergency Management and the Hydro Meteorological Service.

The second day of the NPD, 26th of October, was opened by Mr. Dragan Markovic, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Interior who stressed the importance of the project in supporting the DRR system in Serbia.

The national dialogue concluded with the firm commitment of participating institutions and an official endorsement of the recommendations for future action in strengthening the DRR system in Serbia.

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ABOUT THE WMO-UNDP REGIONAL PROGRAMME ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE:

The UNDP-WMO Regional Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction in South East Europe,  funded by the European Commission, is jointly implemented by UNDP and WMO in 8 IPA beneficiaries. The programme activities designed to assist countries in reducing risks associated with disasters triggered by natural hazards and  developed in support of the South Eastern Europe Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Programme (SEEDRMAP), are initiated jointly by WMO, the World Bank and the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). The activities aim to develop and/or strengthen national institutional and governance capacities, hydro-meteorological services and financial risk transfer mechanisms in the region.
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