In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly requested UNISDR to facilitate the development of a post-2015 framework on disaster risk reduction. In 2012, the Assembly decided to convene the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to review implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action and to adopt a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. The Assembly also requested UNISDR to serve as secretariat of the 3rd World Conference and to coordinate the preparatory activities in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. The United Nations work to reduce disaster risk is built on the knowledge and experience of countries and other stakeholders over the past several decades. Milestones include the 1990s being declared the international decade for natural disaster reduction, the adoption of the International Framework for Action for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer World adopted by the 1st World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction, the endorsement of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and the adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) at the 2nd World Conference on Disaster Reduction held in 2005. Drawing on the conclusions of the review of the Yokohama Strategy, and on the basis of deliberations at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction and especially the agreed expected outcome and strategic goals, the Hyogo Conference adopted the following five priorities for action:

1. Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with a strong institutional base for implementation.
2. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning.
3. Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels.
4. Reduce the underlying risk factors.
5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.

More information can be sought on the Hyogo framework at http://www.unisdr.org/2005/wcdr/intergover/official-doc/L-docs/Hyogo-framework-for-action-english.pdf

Unlike other global frameworks (e.g. MDGs), awareness on the disaster risk reduction framework (HFA) has been limited, especially at the sub national and local level. In the run-up to HFA 2, this needs to be put in the proper perspective.

The International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies campaign bridges the gap between civil society and world leaders; getting communities to emphasise what they want to see in the new framework.

It looks at the success stories of HFA 1 with messages of what worked best in preventing, reducing and bouncing back stronger from disasters. It also attempts to de-mystify and widely circulate the concepts in HFA 2 to improve understanding primarily among the development sector, as well as the broader public.