Tehran, October 15, 2007 – The International Day for Disaster Reduction was commemorated on Monday 15 October, with UNDP providing support to the National Disaster Task Force and the Ministry of Interior to coordinate the UN system in Iran for a press conference in the context of the National Week of Disaster Risk Reduction.

This year's theme for the World Disaster Reduction Campaign, launched by the UN and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) in 2006,has been "Disaster risk reduction begins at schools". This has brought together several cooperation partners, including the Government, NGOs and UN agencies.  As an example,UNDP, UNESCO and UNICEF are all working with concerned national partners on various aspects of school safety programs;from building the capacity of the school-children and the neighboring communities to plan and prepare better for reducing disaster risks; to provision of model designs for school buildings at national and city levels in Bam,Kerman and Gorgan. 

UN Resident Coordinator,Knut Ostby, took the opportunity to underline Iran's position as one of the most disaster prone countries in the world,and to outline the significant efforts that have been made in developing readiness for effective immediate and short-term response.He also read the message of the UN Secretary General on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction for the audience,which was from the concerned national organizations, UN system in Iran, public media and number of donor countries.
However,Mr.Ostby also emphasized the need to address still existing challenges.Firstly, the need to apply the knowledge and experience obtained nationwide in order to reduce the impact of future disasters,especially through executing and monitoring building codes,training building workers,and creating a culture and demand for safety among people.Secondly,local communities must be recognized and educated as the frontline for immediate response since they are the ones that are first active in rescuing their neighbors and family members. Finally, appropriate governance,which is the corner-stone for good disaster risk management,requires participation of local communities in decision making and capacity building,transparency,rule of law,responsiveness,the search for consensus,equity,effectiveness,efficiency,accountability and strategic vision.

In following, the representatives of the present UN agencies, ISDR,UNDP,UNICEF,UNOCHA, and WFP presented their interventions for Disaster Reduction and Disaster Management.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative,Elzira Sagynbaeva, especially emphasized UNDP’s cooperation with the Government in promoting existing community based knowledge on disaster risk reduction and providing a good potential for expansion of regional cooperation. Most importantly, Ms.Sagynbaeva highlighted the need for strengthening the role of women in managing and preventing disasters.

Deputy Interior Minister for Development, Mr.H.E.Hashemi, closed the session by expressing that: "Iran is fully ready to meet international commitments and conventions for reducing disaster risks". and that: "The Government will need the support of the UN system to share its experience on Disaster Risk Management with other countries, especially in the region, and that it will welcome expertise from the UN system in Iran in this regard."