Excellency,

I have the honour to invite you to participate in a high-level dialogue on Tuesday, 21 May 2013 at the fourth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, in Geneva, Switzerland. I will be convening a group of disaster risk reduction leaders who will focus on setting parameters for managing the accelerating economic losses to nations and communities due to the increasing disaster risk.

As you may know, the Global Platform is recognized by the General Assembly as the main forum for strategic advice, coordination and partnership for disaster risk reduction at the global level. The Rio+20 sustainable development conference and subsequent deliberations by the Assembly yielded strong encouragement to Member States to give appropriate consideration to disaster risk reduction in the post-2015 development agenda.

Consistent and sustained effort by the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia demonstrates how strong leadership at the highest level can build resilience to disasters at the local, regional and national levels. I would like to compliment you for focusing the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the South East European Cooperation Process in June 2013 on disaster risk reduction in the context of the sustainable development agenda.

At a time when Member States are forging their future development goals, I am asking leaders with your experience to rally political support for sound disaster risk reduction practices to be placed prominently in the new development agenda.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, under the guidance of my Special Representative, Ms. Margareta Wahlström, began consultations in September 2012 on a document to continue guiding the work of Member States that began under the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. Guidance from you and other world leaders emerging from the high-level meeting in May 2013 will form an integral part of the development of the next framework. It will also mark an important step in the shaping of a post-2015 future. I very much hope that you will be able to accept my invitation to participate in this important event.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

BAN Ki-moon