03 July 2015 - Known to be actively engaged with international partners on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and in sharing its knowledge and experience in DRR, preparedness, response and recovery and rehabilitation, the Philippines once again demonstrated its leadership role in DRR with its acceptance of the chairmanship of the ISDR Support Group in Geneva beginning July 2015.

Switzerland, represented by Ambassador Alexandre Fasel, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations (UN) and Other International Organizations, officially handed over the chairmanship of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Support Group to the Philippines, represented by Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations.

The simple handover ceremony was held on June 22 during the ISDR Support Group meeting at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ambassador Rebong expressed her deep appreciation for having been selected as the incoming Chair of the ISDR Support Group and congratulated the outgoing Chair for all his achievements in the past year.

The Support Group members welcomed the new Chair and expressed their support for the Philippines in this new function.

The ISDR Support Group, a Geneva-based self-organized group that is composed of interested Member States, aims to mobilize the necessary political and financial support for the effective functioning of the strengthened ISDR partnership, focusing in particular on issues related to the participation of States in the system. END