International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

  • Author: UN General Assembly (45th sess. : 1990-1991)
  • Document source:
  • Date:
    21 December 1990

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 42/169 of 11 December 1987 and 43/202 of 20 December 1988 on natural disaster reduction and 44/236 of 22 December 1989, in which it proclaimed the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction,

Reaffirming the need for the international community to demonstrate the strong political determination required to mobilize and use existing scientific and technical knowledge to mitigate natural disasters, bearing in mind in particular the needs of developing countries,

Noting with satisfaction that more than seventy Governments have informed the Secretary-General that they have established national committees or focal points for the purpose of attaining the objective and goals of the Decade,

Reconfirming the important responsibility of the United Nations system as a whole for promoting international co-operation in order to mitigate natural disasters, provide assistance and co-ordinate disaster relief, preparedness and prevention,

Noting the establishment of the Trust Fund for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, expressing appreciation to those countries that have so far contributed or pledged voluntary contributions to the Fund and, at the same time, expressing concern that the resources available to the United Nations for the activities of the Decade are insufficient in relation to the requirements,

Taking note of the progress report of the Secretary-General on the Decade,

Noting that the celebration in the United Nations of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction was not possible in 1990, and stressing the importance of observance by the United Nations of the Day in future years in a manner befitting the objective and goals of the Decade,

Taking note of the relevant conclusions of the twenty-fifth series of Joint Meetings of the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination and the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination, held on 25 and 26 October 1990,

1.         Urges the international community to implement fully the International Framework of Action for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, contained in the annex to resolution 44/236 and, in particular:

(a)        Invites Member States that have not yet done so to establish national committees or suitable focal points;

(b)        Requests the Secretary-General to expedite his efforts to complete organizational and financial arrangements in accordance with sections D and E of the International Framework of Action;

(c)        Appeals to the international community, in particular, to donor countries, for financial contributions to the Trust Fund for the Decade;

(d)        Urges all countries to adopt policies which give priority to disaster mitigation measures;

2.         Notes with deep concern that organizational arrangements have not been fully established and implemented in accordance with section D of the International Framework of Action;

3.         Reaffirms the important role played by the Director-General for Development and International Economic Co-operation as the focal point for overview and co-ordination of the programmes and activities of the United Nations system for the Decade, in accordance with section C of the International Framework of Action, and with his mandate, as set out in its resolution 32/197 of 20 December 1977, and invites the Director-General to give momentum to those programmes and activities;

4.         Reaffirms also the need for the secretariat of the Decade to work in close association and co-operation with the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, bearing in mind the specific responsibilities and functions in the field of disaster prevention and preparedness entrusted to that Office by General Assembly resolution 2816 (XXVI) of 14 December 1971;

5.         Stresses the need for the secretariat of the Decade to work closely with the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator, while providing substantive and secretariat support to the Special High-Level Council, the Scientific and Technical Committee and to related activities, and to report to the Director-General for Development and International Economic Co-operation through the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator;

6.         Requests the Secretary-General to assist, in co-operation with relevant organizations of the United Nations system, in the formulation and implementation, during the Decade, of public information programmes aimed at raising awareness of disaster prevention among the general public;

7.         Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session on the progress in the implementation of the programmes and activities of the Decade, including the identification of constraints in that regard, with appropriate attention to the status of existing international protocols and conventions for mutual assistance in cases of disaster, in accordance with paragraph 4 of resolution 44/236.

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