Statement By H.E. Mr. M. Jusuf Kalla Vice-President Of The Republic Of Indonesia At Third World Conference On Disaster Risk Reduction

Sendai – Japan, 14 March 2015

Your Excellency Mr. Prime Minister,
Your Excellency Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I stand here to express my gratitude for the willingness of the Government of Japan and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, on organizing this important conference for the unwavering commitment in relentlessly pushing the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) global agenda forward.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The frequency and severity of disasters is increasing and affecting humanity. It is sobering to note that there are millions people whose lives are affected by disasters. Moreover, risk of economic loss, and development set-back also increase at a pace faster than economic growth can possibly keep up with. Therefore, prevention through disaster risk reduction efforts is an invaluable action.

Indonesia as is Japan is among the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters. As consequences, disaster preparedness should be inherent into our national priorities and development agenda.

It was the 2004 tsunami which brought the issue of human rights and natural disaster response to the fore of the international agenda. Aceh was the worst affected area, with death toll estimates at around 200.000. From Indonesia’s experience, after the earthquake and tsunami hit in 2014, we began to redouble our efforts to improve our disaster management by shifting the paradigm from emergency response and recovery, to a more comprehensive approach. It has not only enable Indonesia to implement the concept of build back better in disaster affected areas in Aceh in a relatively short period of 4 years, but also strengthen our capacities for building a community resilient to disaster.

Referring to the tragic tsunami in Aceh in 2004 and a strong earthquake in Yogyakarta in 2006, allow me once again on this glorious event to express our hearfelt appreciation to more than 50 friendly countries, including Japan, who have been generously extending aid and donations in rebuilding and rehabilitating the two regions.

Obviously, Indonesia would not be able to have a speedy disaster recovery without international support. We have been investing in disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness and is now becoming our top list priority. We are also integrating Disaster Risk Reduction approaches into our development agenda.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 2004 Tsunami disaster has given us lesson learnt , in 2005, 168 countries drafted and approved the Hyogo Framework for Action. By using the Hyogo Framework for Action as reference, Indonesia has made significant progress in integrating and mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into our legislation and national development plan. That includes the short, medium and long term development plan, both at the national level, and locally at the provincial and district levels. We now have National Disaster Management Plan 2014-2019, and National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction.

We have also paid particular attention to efforts in strengthening local capacities and local actions; utilizing local knowledge and local wisdom; and engaging every group in our community in Disaster Risk Reduction efforts, like women, the poor, youth, and persons with disability. This is crucial, since local governments and communities are at the forefront in facing disasters. At present, hundreds of villages in most disaster-prone areas in Indonesia have now joined the resilient village campaign.

However, we do understand that this is a long term efforts and will need international partnership, at all levels, to build developing countries capacities for a community resilient to disasters. Therefore, bilateral partnership with neighbouring countries need to be continuously enhanced and promoted. At regional level, Indonesia plays an active role in Disaster Risk Reduction efforts through ASEAN frameworks and Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR). At the global level, we wish to underscore the importance to set up a comprehensive framework for all different sectors and actors to cooperate for building a resilience of nations and communities to disasters.

Recognizing the importance of sharing of knowledge, on this precious occasion I would like to convey that Indonesia has established a world class centre of excellence in disaster management. Indonesia is ready to share its experiences, best practices and lesson learnt in disaster management through Indonesia Disaster Reduction Training Ground/INA DRTG. Furthermore, it is of the utmost importance that the post-2015 DRR framework to be more comprehensive and inclusive, and based upon the continuation of internationally agreed principles as embedded in the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Indonesia believes that the post-2015 Disaster Risk Reduction framework should include the empowerment of local communities, the utilization of local knowledge and local wisdom as well as inclusion of various groups in communities in Disaster Risk Reduction decision making. Furthermore, connecting the post-2015 global agendas on Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Sustainable Development.

At the same time, the Future Framework should give due attention to countries with specific characteristic such as archipelagic states and countries with extensive coastlines.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Indonesia will contribute positively to the on-going drafting process of the post-2015 DRR framework, as the future guidelines for global Disaster Risk Reduction efforts. Let Sendai be a milestone of sustainability this year.

I thank you very much for your commitment.