Indian Official Kamal Kishore Embarks on Role as UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction

In a significant development for global disaster risk reduction efforts, Kamal Kishore has commenced his role as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction. Appointed by UN Chief Antonio Guterres on March 28, Kishore, aged 55, brings a wealth of experience from his previous tenure at India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). He steps into the shoes of Mami Mizutori of Japan, marking a new chapter for the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

The UNDRR officially welcomed Kishore on May 20, highlighting the pivotal role the organization plays in coordinating global efforts to mitigate disaster risks amidst escalating vulnerabilities. Kishore expressed his eagerness to build upon the progress achieved thus far and acknowledged the significant contributions of his predecessor, Mizutori. He also extended his gratitude to Paola Albrito for her interim leadership as the Acting SRSG.

With an impressive background in disaster management and risk reduction, Kishore has been at the forefront of India's disaster management strategies since 2015 as the Head of NDMA. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the G20 Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction under India's G20 presidency. Prior to his tenure at NDMA, Kishore dedicated nearly thirteen years to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) across Geneva, New Delhi, and New York. His efforts were pivotal in integrating disaster resilience into the Sustainable Development Goals and leading a global team to bolster UNDP's support for programme countries in disaster risk reduction.

Kishore's academic credentials include a Master of Science in Urban Planning, Land and Housing Development from the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. His extensive experience and educational background position him well to lead UNDRR's mission.

The Geneva-headquartered UNDRR serves as the focal point within the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster risk reduction efforts. It plays a crucial role in implementing the Sendai Framework, the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda. The framework outlines concrete actions for member states to safeguard development gains against disasters, emphasizing the importance of reducing risk and building resilience.

Kishore's appointment comes at a critical time when global vulnerabilities to disasters are on the rise due to climate change and environmental degradation. His leadership is expected to steer UNDRR towards achieving its ambitious goals in making communities safer and more resilient to disasters worldwide.