The coference is organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Europe (UNDRR), the Portuguese National Authority for Civil Protection, the European Commission and the Council of Europe. It is a forum for stakeholders and authorities to adress disaster risk challenges, discuss best-practices and lessons-learned and make actionable commitments to reduce disaster risk. This results in forward looking action plans based on a mutual sharing status of DRR implementation.

Three focuses:
1. take stock of lessons from COVID-19 crisis, showcasing good practices in Europe, and Europe’s role in the world
2. review progress to date in implementing the Sendai Framework and articulate what changes are needed for a transformative agenda on disaster risk reduction; across the pillars of economic recovery, good governance and for social equity
3. commit to ensuring that a disaster impact is never again so severe as the COVID-19 pandemic, articulating new commitments to achieve deliver greater resilience in Europe.