Geneva/Zagreb, Croatia, 30 August 2012 (UNISDR/WMO) – The United Nations, European Commission and national authorities have launched a new project in the Western Balkans and Turkey that will reduce disaster risks and increase resilience to climate change.

The project launch is planned for 30 August in Zagreb, Croatia and it is aimed at high-level participants from disaster management authorities and national meteorological and hydrological services.

GA/11153

Sixty-sixth General Assembly
Plenary
22nd, 23rd & 24th Meetings (AM, PM & Night)

Leaders Can No Longer Use Sovereignty as ‘Wall to Violate Rights of Citizens’,
Some Say; Others Say Mediation Less Costly, Saves Lives, Aligns with UN Charter

This report covers the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010

In brief

Programme outcome: In line with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) Strategy 2020 the aim of the Federation supported programmes in Albania is to save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises; to enable healthy and safe living; and to promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.

Main results of the Council

The Council discussed the situation in Afghanistan following the presidential elections held on 20 August. It expressed support for Afghan institutions and for the organisation of an international conference to discuss the country's future with the incoming Afghan government.

The Council held an exchange of views

By means of this Message, the Federal Council gears Swiss development cooperation to three priorities:

- reducing poverty;

- reducing security risks;

- co-shaping a form of globalization that promotes development.

Four-and-a-half billion Swiss francs have been allocated for this work for the period 2009-2012.

Switzerland's international cooperation

General framework

The overall objective of Norwegian assistance to the Western Balkans is to promote peace, reconciliation, Rule of Law and democracy in the region. The main purpose of Norway's project assistance to the countries in the Western Balkans is to continue supporting processes related to regional stabilisation and Euro-Atlantic integration. The stronger institutional links to the EU and the considerable increase in transfer

BACKGROUND AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- Extremely hot temperatures and below normal rainfall across southeast Europe from June to August 2007 led to numerous wildfires in nearly every country in the region. Although wildfires are annual occurrences, and the local ecosystems are fire-adapted, the 2007 season was among the worst on record, according to national firefighting authorities and government officials.

U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Stephen Cristina declared a disaster in Albania on July 27 and U.S. Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic declared a disaster in Macedonia on July 25, both due to loss of property and livelihoods as a result of the wildfires that have swept through the respective countries.

In Albania, wildfires are active in 21

Period covered: 1 January to 31 May 2006

Appeal target: The appeal budget for 2006-2007 was revised from CHF 3,925,000 (USD 3,152,415 or EUR 2,498,000)