VICE-PRESIDENT W. K. Mutale Nalumango has called for enhanced international support in integration of Disaster Risk Reduction –  in the implementation of relevant sustainable development policies.

Delivering the national statement during the General Debate of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Vice-President said the Midterm Review was taking place at a critical moment in the global development history.

“We are approaching the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SDG Summit and the Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, and yet progress recorded so far is very worrying,” she said.

The Vice-President said climate induced disasters were increasing with their devastating impacts, undermining the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We, therefore, cannot overemphasise the urgency of accelerating implementation of the Sendai Framework as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda, ” she said.

The Vice-President acknowledged and applauded the UN Secretary General’s call to protect everyone on earth through universal coverage of early warning systems.

However, she noted that most developing countries lacked sufficient investments in forecasting and early warning systems for effective and comprehensive early action, including disaster preparedness and response.

Mrs. Nalumango called for enhanced international support from development partners.

And Mrs. Nalumango said Zambia has established a robust multidimensional disaster management structure that allows for the participation of both state and non-state actors in disaster risk management.

She said the Zambian Government had incorporated disaster risk reduction into development planning to ensure that the National Development Framework was risk informed.

The Vice-President said as Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change, Zambia looked forward to constructive engagement on funding arrangement for addressing loss and damage at COP28.