The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the United Nations focal point for disaster risk reduction and coordinates the UN-wide implementation of the Sendai Framework. UNDRR is part of the UN Secretariat and is headed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. UNDRR is a member of the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). 

The United Nations Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience, as a contribution of the UN system to the implementation of the Sendai Framework, is one of the main tools to maximize UN efforts to support countries to strengthen risk-informed development programming, planning and investment and ensure no one is left behind. UNDRR coordinates two mechanisms related to the UN Plan of Action: the high-level UN Senior Leadership Group on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience and the UN Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Points Group at the working level.

The inclusion of disaster risk reduction in the 2020 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review Resolution (QCPR) provides a solid basis to mainstream disaster risk reduction action in support of the SDGs within the UN system.

The Sendai Framework specifically calls upon the UN system to support its implementation in a coordinated manner. It lays down the principles, commitments, guidance and targets for the UN system to reduce the loss from disasters and support countries and communities in implementing the Sendai Framework.

The UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience: Towards a Risk informed and Integrated Approach to Sustainable Development is the UN’s contribution to ensure a risk-informed approach to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It addresses the need for coherence and promotes joined approaches to integrating DRR and climate change adaptation in UN development efforts. The revised UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience was endorsed by the UN Chief Executives Board in 2016.

The UN Plan of Action implementation is supported by the following coordination mechanisms to accelerate disaster risk reduction implementation:

1. The UN Senior Leadership Group on DRR for Resilience 
2. The UN DRR Focal Points Group 

The UN System reports on its contribution to the UN Plan of Action on DRR for Resilience on an annual basis.

Reducing the risks of disasters from natural and man-made hazards is a critical pre-requisite for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To strengthen the UN’s joint contribution to disaster risk reduction, the UN Chief Executives Board for Coordination has established a UN Senior Leadership Group on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience (UN SLG), convened annually by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on DRR. The UN SLG has members from more than 40 UN entities.

The UN SLG aims to strengthen UN system-wide coherence in the implementation of a risk-informed 2030 Agenda, the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and other key international agreements. The UN SLG also aims to ensure that DRR remains a strategic priority for UN System and Related Organizations and leads high-level advocacy and communications to integrate DRR in all relevant UN programmes and activities.

The oversight of the UN Plan of Action has been entrusted to the UN SLG. Annually, this group endorses recommendations prioritizing concrete joint actions to further the implementation of the UN Plan of Action with a view to ensuring country-level impact. The annual UN SLG recommendations are informed by the findings of the UN Plan of Action Progress Report and emerging trends.

In 2023, the United Nations Senior Leadership Group (UN SLG) on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience endorsed the 2030 UN SLG recommendations in the margins of the High-Level Meeting on the Mid-term Review of the Sendai Framework. These will guide the UN system-wide support on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and resilience building until 2030. The recommendations and the related Action Plan complement the commitments made in the UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience.

UNDRR is a member of the UN Sustainable Development Group. UNDRR works to make sure that the UN Development System Reform provides an opportunity to enhance UN support to disaster risk reduction and risk-informing development at country level.

UNDRR works closely with UN partners at regional level through Regional Collaborative Platforms including Issue-Based Coalitions and Peer Support Groups, for example to support UNCTs in risk-informing UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.

UNDRR is committed to working closely with UN Resident Coordinators and other UN agencies in-country to better support governments to build relevant and implementable national and local DRR strategies to reduce disaster and climate risk.