The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in partnership with international organizations, held from 2 to 6 June in Geneva, was a milestone for the entire civil society sector. One of the highlights was the presentation of the prestigious international Sasakawa Award to the Global Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (GNDR). This recognition symbolized the power of the collective voice of civil society acting on the frontline in the fight against the impacts of climate-related disasters and natural hazards.

GNDR received the award for its contribution to building inclusive and resilient risk reduction strategies, and for persistently promoting the voices of the most vulnerable - women, youth, people with disabilities and rural people living in uncertain and risky environments. This achievement also recognized the contribution of Central Asian countries and local organizations such as Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan to the international sustainable development and climate resilience agenda.

The GP2025 platform brought together more than 3,000 participants from 140 countries: representatives of governments, international and non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions, journalists and leaders of youth movements. The Forum was held under the slogan “Every Day Matters: Acting for Sustainability Today”, and it was under this slogan that representatives of Kyrgyzstan demonstrated how knowledge gathered from remote communities can shape global strategies.

Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan team presented on the international platform the results of the National Workshop on Localization of Early Warning System, which was held in Kyrgyzstan from 21 to 23 May 2025. The workshop was conducted using the international research methodology Views from the Frontline (VFL) developed by GNDR. During the meeting in Geneva, the key findings of the study were highlighted, including the importance of integrated risk analysis at the community level under conditions of limited access to information, as well as the need to develop cross-sectoral and transboundary cooperation to improve climate resilience and environmental security.

Special attention was paid to the existing barriers faced by activists, women, youth and people with disabilities in participating in decision-making processes at both local, national and global levels. Based on these challenges, practical recommendations were formulated, including measures to expand the GNDR partner network in Central Asia and engage new actors in the process of localization of international disaster risk reduction strategies. A roadmap for localization of the early warning system was also presented, focusing on modernization and improving the effectiveness of response mechanisms. The priorities include integration of satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence technologies, updating training programs for local governments and development of national platforms that provide timely information to citizens.

A special place in the GP2025 program was taken by the unique GNDR session held on June 5. During this cross-country meeting, representatives from seven countries - Kyrgyzstan, Ghana, Colombia, Bangladesh, Peru, Niger and the Dominican Republic - shared experiences, results and approaches implemented through the National Workshops on Localization of Early Warning Systems. This session was an exceptional opportunity for direct knowledge exchange between organizations working in very different climatic and socio-economic conditions, but united by a common goal - protecting the lives and well-being of vulnerable communities from the effects of natural disasters. Kyrgyzstan was one of the key countries that presented a model of community engagement in the development of early response mechanisms, which aroused keen interest and positive feedback from the participants.

As part of the platform, Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan also actively participated in the UN Major Groups consultations, spoke at the Ignite Stage, and took part in interactive discussions on digital transformation in risk management, gender approaches and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

In Geneva, new partnerships were established and strengthened with a number of international organizations, including Caritas Switzerland, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the European Commission for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). Meetings were held with representatives of academic institutions and digital initiatives interested in joint implementation of programs in risk and disaster zones.

Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan's participation became particularly important in the context of the key conclusions of the Global Platform (Co-Chairs' Summary), according to which disaster resilience is impossible without enhanced, fair and equitable participation of all stakeholders, especially vulnerable groups. The Platform's outcome document emphasizes the importance of strengthening inclusive risk management, universal access to early warning systems, transforming leadership models based on equity and fairness, and the need to implement the Sendai Framework strategy in the face of growing climate threats.

Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan's participation in the Global Platform was thus a shining example of how local experience, knowledge and activism can shape international approaches to disaster risk reduction. It was a unique event, which for the first time at such a high level presented data collected directly from local communities of Kyrgyzstan living in risk zones. This experience confirms that without systemic participation of citizens and communities, it is impossible to build a sustainable, equitable and secure future.

If you have any questions, please contact the Executive Director of Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan Murat Karypov by Email: m.karypov@gmail.com and by phone: +996555422222.

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