“Addressing insecurity and the consequences of disasters through prevention”
Bern, 05.11.2015 - Luxembourg, 05.11.2015 – Address by the Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter on the occasion of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) - Check against delivery
Madam High Representative
Mister Secretary General
Ladies and Gentlemen
Many challenges of our times, such as Climate Change, Sustainable Development, natural disasters and regional security issues share a common feature: We have to react to adverse consequences. But at the same time, we must take farsighted and cooperative measures in order to prevent the disasters and limit the consequences.
The shift from response to a combination of prevention and preparedness faces many challenges. It lacks political attractiveness and it is easier to raise resources for post-disaster assistance than for measures ahead of hypothetical crises. Also, prevention is highly complex and multifaceted. It involves many policy sectors, stakeholders at different governmental levels, as well as non-governmental and private actors. Still, there is an urgent need for preventive measures to tackle both disaster risks and security issues.
First, disaster risk reduction and management. At this year’s World Conference in Sendai, we committed ourselves to reducing people’s vulnerability and exposure to disaster and climate risks. It is important that the commitment of Sendai now be translated into action, on the ground.
In the recent decades the most developed countries could massively reduce casualties due to catastrophes such as earthquakes. They could do it up to 10 times faster than poorer regions of the world. We now know by experience that prevention can save thousands of lives in such situation. And we know that it is a good investment too: for each dollar invested in prevention, 5 dollars are saved.
Owing to climate change, we are dealing with unpredictable patterns and an increasing frequency of extreme weather events. We have seen it in the recent weeks in very different geographic areas.
Together with Norway, Switzerland developed the Nansen Initiative to share best practice among States and relevant actors and ameliorate the situation of those displaced by climate change and natural disasters.
But the humanitarian response is not enough. Not only must we protect those who suffer, but we also must invest in smart prevention and preparedness measures.
I would like to give you one example for prevention – a Swiss project in Tajikistan: For years, the community of Muminabad suffered from flood hazards. These were exacerbated by erosion of the watershed upstream. With the support of Switzerland, Muminabad introduced a local, comprehensive risk management system.
This meant not only improving protection of the community’s inhabitants, but improving management of life stock and reduction of firewood consumption through efficient fuel stoves. Today, the community is not only better protected from flood risks, but also has restored its upstream watershed and its drinking water is of better quality. Through a comprehensive and farsighted approach to disaster risk reduction, Muminabad has improved its overall livelihood.
Prevention also extends to regional and international security issues in an increasingly complex environment.
Both in the Euro-Atlantic / Eurasian area and in the Asia Pacific, security issues have become more pressing lately. The risk of political and military polarisation is growing in both regions. We have seen it recently in Ukraine or in the South China Sea. In addition, we are confronted with a multitude of crises around the globe.
As the security environment is changing, efforts to strengthen cooperative security should be a priority. New instruments which rely on dialogue and cooperation are necessary. At the OSCE Asian Conference in Seoul in June this year – which Switzerland co-hosted – the need for such dialogue and cooperation was underscored by many participants. Chairing the OSCE last year, Switzerland gained first-hand experience in working with the concept of Cooperative Security in order to mitigate political and military tensions. And stopping crises and wars at an early stage means also stopping suffering from migrations.
The OSCE has been able to demonstrate its value as a permanent platform for dialogue throughout crisis in and around Ukraine. The Organisation was at the forefront of confidence-building and de-escalation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year, we are laying the foundations for global action and for the future direction of our planet. After the Sendai conference on disaster Risk Reduction in March and the UN Summit on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development last September, the world is about to conclude a new climate agreement in Paris next month.
The reduction-goals countries have provided to date are a strong signal that there is a political will to do more to address climate change. 155 states have submitted their mitigation commitments covering more than 85% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions today. The new agreement shall encompass all countries and move all countries to act, based on self-differentiation. States decide themselves how much they can contribute to reduce their carbon footprint and shall be obliged to be fully transparent about their climate actions. The announced targets show that States are ready to take their responsibilities.
What is important is that we commit to a clear, legally binding and transparent control-mechanism, which will provide for a continuously growing level of ambition.
The agreement we will sign in Paris will have to generate a positive momentum for the climate. For, in the long run, we need to be much more ambitious if we want to limit the consequences of climate change.
Sendai, the 2030 Agenda and the COP21 are the result of a far-sighted and forward-looking policy approach. They are built on prevention and they shift our focus towards a more holistic, universal and cooperative approach to the major challenges of our times.
Working towards a more sustainable and resilient world requires cooperation with and learning from each other. ASEM countries should make a significant contribution towards this goal.
Thank you.
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