Mr. Chairperson,
Sweden wishes to express its full support for the statement delivered by France on behalf of the European Union.
Climate change is happening already and countries are adapting to its effects. What we have seen of cyclones, hurricanes and floods during recent months is what we can expect to an increasing extent according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC. Sweden welcomes your initiative to hold this debate in recognition of the urgent need to further our common understanding of disaster risk reduction in the face of rapid climate change. The disaster risk reduction and climate change communities still work as separate entities. We must promote further convergence of the Hyogo and Kyoto agendas.
Sweden considers disaster risk reduction measures irrefutable tools in our efforts to adapt to the effects of climate change. The escalating human distress and economic losses of natural disasters beckons the need for more investments in risk reduction measures such as the creation of early warning mechanisms, protection of vulnerable ecosystems and adherence to better building codes.
We believe that the logical entry point for developing adaptation strategies is to learn from experience of natural disasters. Countries in which disaster risk reduction is already a development concern have taught us what needs to be done to protect people at risk. Addressing immediate needs of disaster reduction helps build resilience to climate change.
Initiatives will be required at all levels, from the community to the national, regional and global levels. It is critical that the UN climate convention’s regional supporting mechanisms for knowledge sharing, technology support and capacity building take advantage of the existing capacities and mechanisms for disaster risk reduction.
Evidence from low-income countries suggests, moreover, that systematic measures over time at community level can produce results. The construction of shelters, reforestation in coastal areas and not least education and public information have had positive effects on the number of victims of cyclones and floods. Sweden would like to stress the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action as one of the keys to success.
As we prepare for the Conference of the Parties’ meeting in Poznan in December, and a year later in Copenhagen, we believe it will be appropriate to raise the profile of humanitarian concerns and seek to protect climate-related human security. Adaptation funds should take full advantage of the principles of the Hyogo Framework for Action. Only through systematic reduction of disaster risks can the costs of disaster response and recovery be limited.
One year from now, Sweden will hold the Presidency of the European Union. Let me assure you of our deep sense of responsibility for contributing to an international climate agreement in Copenhagen in 2009. The Swedish Government wishes to support the most vulnerable countries and communities in several ways, including by launching the international Commission on Climate Change and Development, chaired by our Minister for International Development Cooperation. Its mandate is to address adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change, and to present proposals for how the resilience of affected communities can be supported and strengthened.
The Government of Sweden is allocating more than 585 million US dollars in additional support to climate-related development assistance over the period 2009-2011. The foremost objective of the package is to contribute to and support adaptation to climate change in the poorest countries, including integration of adaptation into development planning in the long-term. Another component of the package is reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries through the dissemination of advanced technologies, promotion of energy efficiency measures and capacity building.
In order to avoid further complicating the aid architecture, funds will primarily be allocated through already initiated multilateral channels, and through bilateral cooperation with a specific focus on Africa. We look forward to working closely with you and colleagues to pursue the disaster risk reduction agenda in the context of our collective efforts to limit and adapt to climate change.
Thank you.