From Resolution to Reality: Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance through Comprehensive Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
Isabelle Granger, Lead, Disaster Law and Auxiliary Role, IFRC
In October 2024, States Parties to the Geneva Conventions and components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement adopted Resolution 3 on strengthening disaster risk governance through comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. This article highlights some of the actions undertaken by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to implement the resolution, including initiatives to advance disaster law reforms and advocate for a new global treaty on the protection of persons in the event of disasters.
In October 2024, the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and States Parties to the Geneva Conventions came together to address critical humanitarian issues at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. A key outcome of the conference was the adoption of Resolution 3 Strengthening disaster risk governance through comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks. The resolution encourages States to strengthen disaster risk governance as an indispensable element for effectively managing disasters and disaster risk and recognizes the IFRC’s state-of-the-art recommendations – the Disaster Risk Governance Guidelines: Strengthening Laws, Policies and Plans for Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management (DRM Guidelines). This article highlights some of the concrete actions taken by States and National Societies to implement the resolution in the year following its adoption.
Resolution 3 was adopted at a key moment for international disaster law – just a few weeks later, the United Nations General Assembly agreed to “elaborate and conclude a legally binding instrument on the protection of persons in the event of disasters” (PPED), based on the International Law Commission’s Draft articles on the protection of persons in the event of disasters (Draft Articles), by the end of 2027. This decision reflects recognition by States of the importance of the protection of people affected by disasters and presents an opportunity for National Societies to engage with their governments and advocate for a treaty that is impactful in practice. In 2025, the IFRC published detailed proposals to strengthen the Draft Articles for the consideration of States ahead of treaty negotiations, in fulfilment of the mandate given to the IFRC to support National Societies, States and intergovernmental organizations in disaster law. The proposals draw on accumulated experience and research and were guided by the IFRC’s Guidelines for the domestic facilitation and regulation of international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance and the DRM Guidelines.
National Societies from around the world are leveraging opportunities to support the implementation of Resolution 3 and to advocate for a strong PPED treaty. For example, the Italian Government and the Italian Red Cross pledged to support efforts towards the adoption of a global instrument on PPED. This year, the Italian Red Cross has spearheaded a group of over thirty National Societies from around the world, which have joined forces to advocate for the treaty. A Disaster Law Treaty Community of Practice has been established, allowing National Societies to share advocacy strategies, key engagement approaches, successes and lessons learned.
Similarly, the Indian Ocean Island (IOI) National Societies of Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius pledged to advocate with and support their public authorities in reviewing, assessing and strengthening the implementation of existing DRM frameworks using the DRM Guidelines. Following the adoption of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the IFRC and the Indian Ocean Commission in May 2025, the leaders of the region’s National Societies developed a plan of action to support its implementation. At the 2025 Leadership Meeting, opportunities and concrete next steps were identified to support the dissemination of the IFRC’s proposals for amendments to the Draft Articles ahead of the PPED treaty negotiations.
This MoU is also expected to build on existing domestic efforts in the IOIs. For example, following the adoption of Resolution 3, the Comoros Red Crescent pledged to advocate with and support its public authorities in strengthening disaster risk governance using the DRM Guidelines. The pledge further includes a commitment to support their public authorities in promoting the codification of international disaster law through the PPED treaty. On the ground, the Comoros Red Crescent worked closely with its public authorities on the development of a new DRM law and a revised national strategy for disaster risk reduction and its plan of action, all of which were adopted in 2024. This year, the National Society has been supporting the implementation of this new framework, with further engagement being planned to disseminate the DRM Guidelines.
These initiatives demonstrate how National Societies are not only advancing the implementation of Resolution 3 at the national and regional levels, but also working to shape the future of international disaster law with a view to ensuring stronger protection for people affected by disasters worldwide.
Read more about this topic
- Website: IFRC Disaster Law
- United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/79/128 of 4 December 2024
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