Platform for DRR of BiH is recognized as an important mechanism for coordination and cooperation of various actors in BiH on DRR for all citizens. The thematic focus of the Conference was importance of risk assessments and their usage in planning and decision making.
At the opening of the Conference Minister of Security Dragan Mektic emphasized that BiH is on its way to become a member of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and will need to invest efforts to align methodological approaches of development of risk assessment at all levels to the ones used in EU. “If we have a good risk assessments, good organization, equipment and trained protection and rescue structures at the local level, then we are certainly able to have an adequate response to disasters. This will increase the safety of citizens, protect material and other goods and reduce the need for reaction of higher levels of Government. Efforts to reduce disaster risks must be systematically integrated into policies, plans and programs for sustainable development and poverty reduction, and supported through bilateral, regional and wider international cooperation and partnership”, said Minister Mektic.
He added that BiH remains committed to brand DRR policy as a state and local community priority, with a strong institutional basis for its application, thereby fulfilling the basic objective of the Platform.
Ambassador of Switzerland to BiH, Andrea Rauber Saxer stated that DRR will be important transversal theme for the Swiss Cooperation with BiH 2017-2020 and emphasized its great potential for saving lives, protecting livelihoods and substantially reducing economic losses. “DRR is a priority for the Swiss Government. We actively pursue it at home but also with our partners abroad. If we cannot prevent disasters, we can and must prevent as much damage as possible. Therefore, we will continue to work with our BiH and UN partners in creating better responses towards the establishment of an acceptable level of risk across different sectors that can be then appropriately mitigated. The conference is an excellent occasion to share best practices and to increase cooperation among all the actors involved”, stated Ambassador Rauber Saxer.
