House of Lords - Questions for Short Debate

The Earl of Selborne submitted a question for short debate to ask: “Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made towards implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.” The short debate was held in the House of Lords in the Parliament of the UK. I had the opportunity to attend the debate as a member of the public.

The Sendai Framework, signed in Japan in March 2015, and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly, is a 15-year non-binding agreement which “recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders. It aims for the following outcome: The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.”

A few challenges to progress and priorities for action were raised during the debate such as challenges for early and accurate warning for earthquakes (deemed quite impossible?) and for disaster risks to be incorporated into development planning in cities, such as strengthening building codes and land use. Speakers also emphasized importance for partnership with other countries in order to strengthen each other’s systems, especially for developing countries where disasters are costing big portion of their GDP. These actions are high in priority for the UK, and the UK has contributed immensely through science and technology and on monetary terms in the DRR field.

Hong Kong is in the heart of DRR development in Asia, where it has the capacity to provide scientific and technological aid to those in need, there should be more discussions on how Hong Kong, as a global player can contribute to the field of DRR particularly in places of need such as in South-East Asia and China.

On the other hand, Hong Kong should also perhaps assess whether its DRR measures are up to par to international standards and develop in areas where it does not have adequate procedures (perhaps due to perceived unimportance) such as standards for bicycle use during times of disaster or  warning systems for uncommon natural disasters.