Aug 24, 2020

ASTM International, a global standards organization, announced the organization’s acceptance into the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE). 
 
ARISE is a private sector initiative (led by UNDRR) that works towards a future with a focus on mitigating effects of disasters, risk-informed capital assets and investments, and resilient infrastructure. ARISE advocates for risk-informed development by supporting private and public sectors to develop and follow policies and practices to reduce disaster risk and losses and build resilient business practices to prevent social and economic loss from disasters. It also facilitates the private sector to apply business practices that prevent the creation of risk and enhance recovery from disasters, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030. 
 
“We are excited for ASTM International to become a member of ARISE,” according to Teresa Cendrowska, ASTM International vice president of global cooperation. “We believe ASTM’s commitment to The Sendai Framework and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and our other ongoing resilience efforts will bring valuable insight to ARISE and the global disaster risk reduction community.
 
The Sendai Framework puts an emphasis on addressing disaster risk factors through risk-informed public and private investments instead of relying on post-disaster response and recovery. The framework also notes that reducing climate and disaster risk is critical for the success of long-term sustainable development. 
 
ASTM International has put an emphasis on resilience recently with the ongoing Resilience in Construction Webinar Series. Past topics included construction materials, wildfire vulnerability, windborne debris, and more. This fall, ASTM will host two October workshops covering community & building component resilience and transportation resilience respectively. In 2018, ASTM International also published a resilience – themed issue of Standardization News.
 
Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; dbergels@astm.org

 
Release #11076

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