On 10-11 March 2016, the Royal Thai Government, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly convened the International Conference on the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, Bangkok. About 120 senior government officials from 47 countries attended the meeting, along with more than 233 representatives from inter-governmental organizations, academia, the health sector, science and technology, civil society, and members of the media.

          The meeting emphasized the need to strengthen multi-sectoral, multi-level disaster risk management by integrating health aspects into disaster risk reduction policies. It was recognized that key elements to promoting the resilience of local communities include capacity building, research and development, data collection, innovative communication, and policy coherence.

          Furthermore, the meeting stressed on the importance of capacity building measures in disaster risk reduction, particularly those related to health, as well as measures to enhance the capability of health workers when disasters do occur. Capacity building in manpower, early warning systems, disease surveillance and assessment, health equipment, and infrastructure are equally important. The meeting also highlighted the focus of the Sendai Framework to include all types of hazards, recognizing the need to develop response models for all hazards, especially biological ones. The roles of communities and access to basic health care services before, during, and after a disaster were also raised. The needs of groups vulnerable to risk should be given priority, while mechanisms that promote social safety-nets should be developed.

          Panelists urged governments to work in an inclusive and comprehensive manner by cooperating with the private sector in disaster risk management, prevention, preparedness, as well as response and recovery. The participants found it essential to promote trans-boundary collaboration, information-sharing, capacity-building, legal cooperation, and cooperation in science and technology.

          The two-day discussion concluded with the endorsement of the Bangkok Principles for the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The Bangkok Principles consist of 7 principles with key actions and monitoring measures for the implementation of health aspects in the Sendai Framework.

          The outcome documents of the conference, including the Bangkok Principles will be presented to relevant regional and international processes such as the 7th Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction scheduled to be held in India later this November. In addition, the outcome will also be reported to the High Level Conference on Global Health Security to be held at the end of March in Lyon, France. The outcome documents will provide input for the ongoing review process of the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 that will be tabled at the 69th session of the World Health Assembly in May 2016.