UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called on the world to step up investments by 2020 and ensure that disaster risk reduction is at the heart of the Decade of Action.
Delivering a speech to mark the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr Guterres said in the coming decade, the world will invest trillions of dollars in new housing, schools, hospitals and infrastructure, but not climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
“There is a strong economic case for such steps: making infrastructure more climate-resilient can have a benefit-cost ratio of about six to one. For every dollar invested, six dollars can be saved. This means that investing in climate resilience creates jobs and saves money,” he said.
Read his full speech below.
Throughout my life, I have visited many communities affected by extreme weather events and other natural hazards.
From the South Pacific to Mozambique to the Caribbean and beyond, I have seen the devastating and life-changing impact of the climate emergency on vulnerable communities.
Disasters inflict horrendous suffering and can wipe out decades of development gains in an instant.
In the coming decade, the world will invest trillions of dollars in new housing, schools, hospitals and infrastructure. Climate resilience and disaster risk reduction must be central to this investment.
There is a strong economic case for such steps: making infrastructure more climate-resilient can have a benefit-cost ratio of about six to one. For every dollar invested, six dollars can be saved.
This means that investing in climate resilience creates jobs and saves money.
And it is the right thing to do: it can ease and prevent human misery.
I am encouraged by the global groundswell of public support for urgent climate action, and by the many commitments made at the recent Climate Action Summit.
We all must now focus on increased ambitions. I call on the world to step up their investments by 2020 and ensure that disaster risk reduction is at the heart of the Decade of Action.
Let us all push for greater ambition on climate action, disaster risk reduction and all our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Akufo-Addo’s tenure has left Cocoa communities poorer, says Joyce Bawah
8 mins -
Suspension of Foreign Exchange Licence does not affect normal banking operations – CBG
22 mins -
Over 1K SMEs assessed for technical support to export in short and medium terms – GEPA
48 mins -
Lydia Alhassan confident of retaining Ayawaso West Wuogon seat
50 mins -
STEM, TVET to boost entrepreneurship and self-reliance in Zongo communities
51 mins -
Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences inducts new fellows
52 mins -
‘For our future, choose peace’ – Pupils advocate peaceful elections
52 mins -
Ongoing operation to safeguard border will not restrict voting rights – GIS Volta
1 hour -
Bosomtwe will see massive upgrade under my presidency – Bawumia
1 hour -
Mahama blames NPP for collapse of PBC
1 hour -
GHS suggests bringing back COVID-19 protocols to combat Cholera spread
1 hour -
Nursing and Midwife trainees threaten to vote against NPP over unpaid allowances
1 hour -
Merging struggling entities won’t fix energy sector, timing is crucial – IES boss
2 hours -
AGI promotes socioeconomic growth by nurturing small and micro enterprises
2 hours -
Party leaders urged to encourage supporters to desist from violent acts
2 hours