On this page:

• United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
• Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
• Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction
• UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction

The National Emergency Management Agency collaborates with key international partners to learn from best practice and share experiences to build capacity, knowledge and partnerships internationally to enhance Australia’s standing in the international disaster risk reduction and resilience community.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

A key international partner is the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which is responsible for the international coordination of strategies and programs for the reduction of disaster risks.

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction drives and coordinates the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. 

This framework drives international risk reduction, and associated policies, across four priority areas; understanding disaster risk; strengthening disaster risk governance; investing for disaster risk reduction for resilience; importance of disaster preparedness and building back better after a disaster strikes.

Nationally, the Sendai Framework is translated into the Australian context by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework.

The Sendai Framework, as well as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals set the international framework for the operations of the National Emergency Management Agency.

The National Emergency Management Agency is responsible for reporting on Australia’s national progress against the seven targets of the Sendai Framework and supports the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's work in the Asia-Pacific region by assisting governments and communities implement the Sendai Framework and engaging with the private sector to develop more disaster resilient investment avenues.

UNDRR is undertaking a mid-term review of progress against the Sendai Framework, to be completed in 2023. To support this process, in December 2022, the National Emergency Management Agency published Australia's national midterm review for the Sendai Framework.

The National Emergency Management Agency has and continues to support the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in its international engagement. This includes attending the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (held in Indonesia, May 2022), leading the Australian delegation to the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction Ministers Meeting (held in Fiji, September 2022) and hosting the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (held in Brisbane, September 2022).

UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction

The Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction is the flagship report of the United Nations on worldwide efforts to reduce disaster risk.

We contributed to the 2022 Global Assessment Report.

Multilateral and bilateral engagement

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is building its capacity and capability to support Australian and international disaster risk and disaster management including through engaging with multilateral organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

We also enhance our capability through bilateral engagement with countries, including New Zealand. On 19 September 2022, officials from Australia and New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agencies signed a memorandum of cooperation on disaster management. The agreement will encourage greater information-sharing on emergency management research and best practice, facilitate shared disaster assistance such as technical advisors where required, and explore opportunities for joint activities and exercises, between the two countries. The agreement will also enable a more connected approach to regional and international engagement.

The National Emergency Management Agency also provides support to international partners through the overseas deployment of medical, and search and rescue capabilities. In March 2022, NEMA deployed a team of Fire and Rescue New South Wales to Tonga to support clean-up activities following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption. Throughout COVID-19, NEMA also deployed multiple Australian Medical Assistance Teams to Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu to provide medical advice on the containment of COVID-19.