The United Nations body that coordinates global disaster reduction efforts named the mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrard, as champion of a UN initiative aimed at enhancing cities’ disaster preparedness.
Margareta Wahlström, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, appointed Mr. Ebrard as champion of the “Making Cities Resilient” campaign at a ceremony during the World Mayors Summit on Climate in Mexico City.
“It is particularly relevant at a time when the cost of disasters is expected to rise significantly because of climate change. Cities will have to bear the biggest brunt of climate-related risks,” she added.
Mr. Ebrard signed a historic emissions reduction agreement with more than 70 mayors ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference that starts tomorrow in Cancun, Mexico.
Under the agreement, the “Mexico City Pact—Global Cities Covenant on Climate,” signatories commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a transparent manner.
“Making Cities Resilient—My City Is Getting Ready!” is a campaign to promote safer cities based on 10 essential actions for local government. The campaign began earlier this year and is now 150-cities strong.
The 10 actions forming the centerpiece of the campaign are designed to empower local governments through more robust budgets, stronger institutions, improved infrastructure, attention to ecosystem management and citizen engagement.
