WORKING SESSION
Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction Including Building Codes
Brief & Concept Note
Brief
1. Why is this topic important?
Despite an abundance of scientific and technical information, disasters still result in ever
increasing human, environmental and economic losses, with the latter estimated at 100 USD
billion per year globally.
The use of standards is an important strategy in meeting this challenge. Standards are
essential to economic activity, trade and infrastructure, as well protecting community
wellbeing in important areas such as health and the environment. The implementation of a
post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction will be greatly enhanced through the use of
mainstream standards.
The value of using standards is that they can provide immediate benefits by improving
economic performance as well as developing resilience to disasters which erode or destroy
development achievements. For example, the Risk Management Standard is now applied
very widely as a core part of good governance in both the public and private sectors. An
estimated 65% of the world’s population live in countries that have adopted the international
Risk Management Standard.
Building codes are very important to make houses resilient to earthquakes, storms and floods.
Earthquakes are a leading cause of human loss, with thousands of preventable deaths each
year caused by the collapse of houses and buildings.
Disruption and damage to business causes huge economic losses to communities and to the
private sector. Standards on business continuity and disaster management are essential to
protect and enhance sustainable development and infrastructure.
The international standards provide a framework for national institutions and local actors to
develop efficient and effective solutions which balance development needs and the potential
for disasters erode their development achievements.
1
The successful implementation ofa post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction will need
standards that provide a common terminology and process, promote accountability and good
governance.
2. What gaps need to be filled?
The session will address the following gaps:
 Existing standards and codes need to be integrated into disaster risk reduction
activities. This can be addressed by identifying areas in which relevant standards are
missing or inadequate. Partnerships need to be established with international
standards bodies to include disaster risk reduction perspectives, For example business
continuity and disaster management, also safety levels between newly constructed
buildings and existing buildings.
 There is a need to enhance the integration of standards, regulatory frameworks and
assurance programs to ensure better implementation and outcomes. Standards and
codes are only valuable if they are imbedded in regulatory frameworks and backed up
by assurance programs. In building construction it is important to fill gaps between
building codes and buildings constructed.
 There is a lack of awareness of the importance of the use of national and international
standards. There is not a strong link between people working in disaster risk reduction
and their national and international standards institutions.
 There is a need to make standards more accessible, through appropriate handbooks,
materials and education programs. Capacity building for stakeholders such as policy
makers, businesses, engineers, regulators, infrastructure builders and managers,
municipalities and insurance providers.
 There is a lack of harmony between disaster risk reduction and mainstream
approaches to managing risk. There are great opportunities to both to learn from
each other.
3. What commitments are expected?
Commitments related to:
• Initiatives for making disaster risk reduction-related standards more accessible.
• Projects to build awareness and capacity on implementing disaster risk reductionrelated standards.
• Partnerships between national and international standards bodies and across the
disaster risk reduction community.
• Mobilize existing networks on building codes to enhance the sharing of knowledge and
experience.
2
Concept Note
Schedule
Tuesday 17 March 2015, 14:00-15:30
Room and Venue
Hagi Hall, Sendai International Conference Centre
Organizing Team
Government of Japan, UNESCO, UNECE, ITU
Contributors UNOPS, WHO, UNAIDS, WMO, UNHABITAT ,ISO, IEC,
World Bank, UNWTO, WFP.
UNISDR Focal Point
Sanjaya Bhatia (Bhatia@un.org)
Background and
Rationale
Standards are fundamental to the development and functioning of
communities and economies. The management of risk is now
mainstreamed into business strategies and is used by many
regulatory authorities, civil society and governments. For example:

Japan has been a key participant in the development of the
international risk management standard and has pioneered
its adoption across the private sector.

Australia mandates that regulatory and policy authorities
establish a risk oversight and management system aligned
with international risk management standard which allows
them to monitor the achievement of policy goals and to
design lines of accountability.

UNESCO has been a leader in the promoting building
safety, developing international network for knowledge
sharing, developing guidelines and policy recommendation
for better implementation of building regulation.

Relating to building codes, Japan has long a history of
experiences of building code revision, implementation,
capacity building and raising awareness through repetitive
mega earthquakes. It also has lessons learned at the Great
East Earthquake in March 2011 in Sendai.
It will be essential to assist organizations to access and implement
international standards and facilitate their adoption through their
national standards bodies.
Communities and economies depend on the performance of
infrastructure as a complex interdependent system in normal times
and in disasters. Efficient and resilient infrastructure is
fundamental to achieving development and quality of life for
3
everyone. Technical and institutional bodies require guidance to
design, build and operate infrastructure at all times including
during disasters. This will also require regulatory frameworks and
assurance programs.
Session Objectives
To share the importance of international and national standards to
be a key part of the implementation of a post-2015 framework for
disaster risk reduction by demonstrating best practice on how risk
management standards are used by authorities across jurisdictions
to set policy, design and implement regulations and provide
assurance to stakeholders. They can span sectors to ensure the
best outcomes in meeting development goals and disaster risk
reduction.
To share the importance of implementation of standards using the
case of building codes by demonstrating the policies and practices
for securing safety of houses and buildings from earthquake and
other natural hazards in countries over the world. Highlight the
need for capacity building in the public sector and for engineers.
Demonstrate engineering innovation by using E-defense and land
use.
Discussion agenda
and structure
First panel discussion: How can national and international
standards support a post-2015 framework for disaster risk
reduction implementation? (45 minutes)
Facilitated discussion and conclusions
Second panel discussion: How can we manage risks by using
building codes? (45 minutes)
Facilitated discussion and conclusions
Expected outcomes





Shared and documented experiences, of good practices and
innovations in the use of standards and codes.
Demonstrated value of international and national standards
in the implementation of a post-2015 framework for
disaster risk reduction.
Commitments to the development and implementation of
standards and codes for cost effective and efficient disaster
risk reduction.
Policy recommendations on standards and codes and their
implementation for safer buildings and resilient
infrastructure.
Commitments to new initiatives for making disaster risk
reduction-related standards and codes more accessible
through appropriate handbooks and education.
4

Formation of partnerships with national and international
standards bodies and the disaster risk reduction
community.
Commitment /
special
announcement in
support of a post2015 framework for
DRR
Major related stakeholders’ commitment on implementing the post
HFA on this issue.
Expected number of
participants
200-300
Background
documents
-
5