Kamal Kishore Starts Residency as UN Exceptional Agent for Catastrophe Hazard Decrease

On March 28, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Kamal Kishore, 55, as his special representative for disaster risk reduction. Kishore, previously associated with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India, is taking over the role from Mami Mizutori of Japan at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

UNDRR Welcomes New Leadership

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) announced on May 20 that Kamal Kishore has commenced his duties as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of UNDRR. In a statement released on Thursday, Kishore emphasized the critical role UNDRR plays in unifying global efforts to mitigate disaster risks amid growing vulnerabilities. He expressed eagerness to build on the achievements of his predecessors.

Vision and Acknowledgments

“UNDRR’s ambition aligns with the magnitude of the challenges we face,” Kishore remarked. He praised the leadership of the former SRSG, Mami Mizutori, and thanked Paola Albrito, UNDRR Director, for her interim leadership before his arrival.

Kishore’s Extensive Experience

Since 2015, Kamal Kishore has led the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India, spearheading the G20 Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction during India’s G20 presidency. Prior to his tenure at NDMA, Kishore dedicated nearly thirteen years to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Geneva, New Delhi, and New York, where he advanced global advocacy for integrating disaster resilience into the Sustainable Development Goals and guided a team of disaster risk reduction advisors supporting UNDP programme countries.

Educational Background

Kishore holds an Expert of Science in Metropolitan Preparation, Land and Lodging Improvement from the Asian Establishment of Innovation in Bangkok, Thailand, and a Lone ranger of Design from the Indian Foundation of Innovation in Roorkee, India.

Role and Mission of UNDRR

Headquartered in Geneva, the UNDRR serves as the United Nations’ central entity for disaster risk reduction. It oversees the implementation of the Sendai Framework across the UN system. The Sendai Framework, a key component of the post-2015 development agenda, provides member states with strategic actions to safeguard development progress against disaster risks.