Joint Geoscience Statement Highlights Priorities for the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Ahead of the 8th Session of the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, GfGD has joined leading geoscience organisations to publish a joint statement. Together, we emphasise the importance of enhanced environmental data, equitable investment in scientific institutions, and stronger public understanding of natural hazards. These three priorities are essential to accelerate progress on the Sendai Framework and ensure no one is left behind in efforts to reduce disaster risk.
In the coming days, national representatives, UN agencies, civil society, the private sector, academia, and other stakeholders will gather at the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland, to take stock of progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, share new knowledge, exchange best practice, and discuss the latest developments and trends in reducing disaster risk.
Natural hazards—such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, hurricanes, avalanches or landslides—when combined with exposure and vulnerability have devastating effects on lives, health and well-being, access to education, livelihoods and economic growth. The Report of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework 2015–2030, however, notes that risks are being created and accumulated faster than our ability to anticipate, manage and reduce them, and that progress towards a more resilient future has stalled, in part, because of barriers between risk science and risk-informed decision-making (UNDRR, 2023).
Tackling these challenges is critical if we are to deliver the high-level objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to achieve a more sustainable and equitable world. As members of the global Earth and environmental science community, we recognise our responsibilities to contribute to dialogue at the Global Platform, to identify opportunities to accelerate progress in reducing risk, and to contribute to the wider actions supporting implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, leaving no one behind.
Here we outline three themes we believe should be part of conversations at the Global Platform and embedded into any post-event strategy for enhancing risk reduction:
1. Enhancing Environmental Data Availability to Understand Current and Future Disaster Risks.
A key theme of the 2025 Global Platform is the need to manage current and future disaster risks and uncertainties in a rapidly changing climate and global context. Understanding the complexities of dynamic risks requires Earth and environmental data to constrain hazard characteristics and how these may respond to a changing climate. Scientific institutions and operational services involved in Earth and environmental data collection, management, integration, and analysis (e.g., volcano observatories, seismic networks, geological surveys, ministries of water, or meteorological stations) must receive sustained and long-term support to ensure we have a comprehensive and evolving understanding of hazards and risks. Such institutions play an important role in providing public goods and securing development gains.
2. Strengthening Support for Scientific Institutions in Low-Income and Least-Developed Countries.
Given previous comments about their value, the international community must identify ways to accelerate support to scientific institutions in low-income and least-developed countries. These regions often face multiple, interconnected hazards, yet local institutions monitoring and reducing these risks often lack essential equipment and access to training. International collaborations, essential for capacity-building and technology transfer, are under threat due to cuts in Official Development Assistance. To ensure that no one is left behind, all actors must prioritise and strengthen support for these vital institutions, listening to their needs and aligning resources accordingly.
3. Improving Public Understanding of the Natural Environment, to Support Education for Sustainable Development.
Public understanding of the dynamics of environmental systems and the human pressure on the environment can help to encourage appropriate and decisive actions, at all levels, to deliver the ambitions of the Sendai Framework. Embedding earth and environmental science into both formal and informal education settings, provides knowledge and skills that can empower communities and inform their advocacy for and delivery of effective risk management solutions.
Collectively, we believe these actions will increase the availability of Earth and environmental science for disaster risk reduction, helping to drive progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Geology for Global Development
American Geophysical Union
European Geosciences Union
Geological Society of London
Global Volcano Risk Alliance
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
Notes to Editors:
The UN General Assembly recognises the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction as a critical mechanism to review progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. At the Platform, governments, the UN system and all stakeholders get together to take stock of progress, share new knowledge, exchange best practice and discuss the latest developments and trends in reducing disaster risk, and identify ways to further accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework. The 8th Session of the Global Platform is organised and convened by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), from 2 to 6 June 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. Hosted by the Government of Switzerland, the event will be co-chaired by the Government of Switzerland and UNDRR.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015‒2030 (or Sendai Framework) is an internationally agreed roadmap for how we make our communities safer and more resilient. Its overall aim is to ensure the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.
Geology for Global Development (GfGD) is a registered charity (1165663, England and Wales), working to build a sustainable future for all by transforming understanding of, access to, and capacity to use the geoscience required to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Geology for Global Development is an affiliated organisation of the International Union of Geological Sciences, holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (from 2022), and is an observer organisation to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (from 2021).
American Geophysical Union. Founded in 1919, AGU is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in the Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.
The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is the leading organisation for Earth, planetary and space science research in Europe. With our partner organisations worldwide, we foster fundamental geoscience research, alongside applied research that addresses key societal and environmental challenges. Our vision is to realise a sustainable and just future for humanity and for the planet. It is a non-profit international union of scientists with about 19,500 members from all over the world.
The Geological Society of London is the UK's professional membership body and learned society for geoscience, providing support to more than 12,000 members in the UK and overseas (registered charity number 210161). We are an inclusive and thriving Earth & planetary science community advancing knowledge, addressing global challenges, and inspiring future generations. We support and inform scientists and the general public, primarily by helping to improve knowledge and understanding of geoscience and promoting professional excellence and ethical standards.
Global Volcano Risk Alliance (GVRA) is a registered charity (No. 1212201, England and Wales) committed to strengthening global resilience to volcanic eruptions. It focuses on community-centred preparedness and education, enhancing global monitoring capabilities, and promoting international coordination in volcanic risk management. GVRA advocates for increased investment and cooperation to ensure that volcanic hazards are recognized and addressed at a global level, with the ultimate goal of reducing the loss of lives and livelihoods caused by volcanic activity.
The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is a leading global scientific organisation dedicated to advancing, promoting, disseminating and applying knowledge about the Earth system, its space environment and dynamic processes. Through its eight commissions, further commissions and services, the IUGG organises international conferences and workshops, conducts and supports research, collects and analyses data, promotes cooperation between scientific institutions, advises decision-makers, engages in educational activities and strengthens scientific capacities worldwide, particularly in underrepresented regions.
Download a copy of this statement by clicking HERE.