Media

Why does the APMCDRR 2024 matter?

Disasters are expected to increase by 40 percent by 2030. This stark projection indicates that countries are going off course from the goal they set in the global blueprint for disaster risk reduction, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Asia-Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world and while preparedness, response, and recovery are essential, scaling up disaster prevention is the key to achieving the Sendai Framework’s goal and targets. By intensifying our efforts to prevent the creation of new risks, we can build a safer, more resilient future – reducing the need for extensive preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Scaling up disaster prevention is a monumental task, but one that we can achieve together by pooling our competencies, knowledge and resources. We need all hands-on deck, including leaders from governments, civil society, academia, the private sector and communities. That is why the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is bringing them together in Manila for the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 to set shared priorities, share innovative solutions, strengthen regional collaboration and make actionable commitments to accelerate disaster risk reduction. Our goal is to set in motion incremental changes that will have a lasting impact on people’s lives.

How can I register and get accreditation to cover the APMCDRR 2024?

Registration is open for both in-person and virtual attendance. All plenaries, working sessions and Regional EW4All Multistakeholder Forum session are livestreamed.

Conference badges are essential for all journalists to gain access to the APMCDRR venue. Only one badge is needed to cover all sessions for the duration of the conference.

What is the role of media in disaster risk reduction?

The role of media cannot be overstated. That is why the Government of the Philippines and UNDRR are pleased that media representatives from the Asia-Pacific region will be attending the conference in large numbers and cover this topic.

The media is crucial to strengthen the capacity of people and communities to withstand and bounce back from disasters. Its role is pivotal in the early warning chain, connecting people with life-saving information. But the impact of media goes beyond the coverage of single disaster events and contributes to an ongoing public dialogue about risk. Media reports can inspire, educate, show solutions and generate the action needed to reduce disaster risk and foster a culture of preparedness. Its role in building resilience is key. This is why the media is also explicitly mentioned as a stakeholder in the Sendai Framework.

In partnership with the World Broadcasting Union, UNDRR supports media organizations in fulfilling this crucial role. Together, we strive to foster a culture of prevention and preparedness, advocate for increased investment in disaster risk reduction, and ensure that risk-informed development becomes a priority.

See also: 11 reasons to report on disaster risk reduction

What resources are available for the media in preparation of the APMCDRR?
A wealth of information about disaster risk reduction to support coverage and reporting is available in UNDRR’s media toolkit.