From the new UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, this piece highlighting the importance of disaster risk reduction for promoting peace and stability. See: Tackling Disaster Reduces the Risk of Conflict

In his address to the UN General Assembly this week, he spoke about the classic drivers of disaster risk in the 21st century. “The effects of climate change, population growth, rapid urbanization, and environmental degradation are contributing to greater competition for resources, adding to tensions and instability,” he said.

In a world where inequality also fuels instability and disasters accentuate the exposure of the weakest and most vulnerable in our societies, the Secretary-General sees prevention of conflict and disasters triggered by man-made and natural hazards as an urgent priority.