Call for Contributions | Deadline Sept 3rd, 2015 | Sendai Framework “Words into Action” Guide Development

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on 18 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan, calls upon the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) to facilitate consultative processes to develop practical guides for implementation.

The 'Words into Action' process intends to gather experts from around the World to shape, by the end of 2016, a series of thematic guides on how to apply the life- and asset-saving Sendai Framework. They will be an important tool to capture practice, learning and progress over the next decade and a half. The Sendai Framework sets the course for disaster risk reduction for the next 15 years and we now need to transform the international agreement into concrete action that will substantially reduce disaster mortality and economic losses.

'Words into Action' are important for the Sendai Framework, offering practical guidance to support implementation, ensure engagement and ownership of action by all stakeholders, and strengthen accountability in disaster risk reduction. The plan is to produce user-friendly pocket guides. For example, a guide on local authorities could describe the issue from a Sendai Framework lens and include sections targeting national and local authorities, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders, such as the priority actions, decentralization, financing, sectoral support etc.  Users will be steered to online discussions, resources and contacts.

UNISDR therefore invites local government representatives, experts and partners to nominate themselves or others to participate in topic specific working groups BY 3 SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 by contacting the relevant focal points as mentioned in the concept notes (attached). The aim is to identify the target groups for each topic, take stock of existing material, and determine the process for developing each guide, including reviews of their impact down the line.

The most locally relevant "Word into Action" concept notes of a total 33 categories have been attached for your reference, in order, including:

  • Implementation guide for local authorities | Download here
  • Implementation guide on land use and urban planning | Download here
  • Implementation guide for Sendai Framework target 5 - local strategies | Download here
  • Implementation guide on national and local platforms for DRR | Download here


You can also find all “Words into Action” topic concept notes and corresponding UNISDR focal points for contacting on PreventionWeb at: http://www.preventionweb.net/drr-framework/sendai-framework/wordsintoaction

Please find further background information regarding "Words into Action" here http://www.unisdr.org/archive/45452