The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is now the world?s foremost gathering of stakeholders committed to reducing disaster risk and building the resilience of communities and nations. The Third Session of the Global Platform convened 8-13 May 2011 will bring together disaster risk reduction, recovery and reconstruction experts. Over 2,000 policy makers and practitioners, from government, international organizations, NGOs, academia, and the private sector from both developing and developed countries will gather to assess and share information as well as set new directions for the disaster risk reduction imperative, with emphasis on local initiatives and activities. High level participants are expected to attend from among the stakeholders.

A core function of the Global Platform is to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action. The proposed overall theme for the Global Platform will be: Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow ? Increased Investment in Local Action. A key feature of the Third Session will be the inclusion of the World Reconstruction Conference (hosted by the World Bank ? www.wrc-2011.org). Three main topics are proposed including:

1) Recovering and Reducing Risks after Disasters - World Reconstruction Conference;
2) Understanding the Economics of Disaster Risk Reduction; and,
3) Strengthening Alliances for Climate Change Adaptation and Development.