Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. I am happy to see you again. Tomorrow, I will have a press conference where we can discuss a broad range of issues of our work.

Today, I would like to focus my press conference on this official launching of the Global Platform. I would like to focus on the 2011 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, and also on the related issues of nuclear safety and nuclear security.

As I said in my speech today, disaster risk reduction is more than simply a technical issue. The United Nations is a global first responder to crises and disaster. I have visited many disaster zones around the world, and seen much destruction.

During the height of a crisis, there is little space for reflection. Lives hang in the balance. Every minute counts. But there is much we can learn after the fact -- and there is much we can do to minimize the impact for the future.

We cannot eliminate disasters, but we can mitigate risk. We can reduce damage. We can save more lives.

As this new report shows, disasters caused by natural hazards are taking a heavy toll on communities everywhere – in countries rich and poor. They are outpacing our ability to respond.

But there is good news. Common-sense investments in early warning and preparedness are making a difference and saving lives.

As the report shows, mortality risk in East Asia is only half what it was just 20 years ago – even though more people are moving to floodplains and cyclone-prone coastlines.

However, economic loss and damage to homes, schools, health facilities and livelihoods are on the rise globally. We must therefore do more to risk-proof development.

The report points out another critical fact: Much of the damage from disasters is the result of frequent low-severity extensive disasters, rather than less-frequent intensive catastrophes.

That underscores the value of advance planning.

Often, this planning is not a matter of spending more, but of using resources more wisely.

We know what works. Good building design. Proper land-use planning. Public education. Community preparedness. Effective early warning systems. Focusing on the needs and potential of women – the largest untapped resource for change.

Consider two cyclones in Bangladesh, 16 years apart: the first killed 150,000 people; the second, just over 4,000. Bangladesh is one of the model countries to have carried out this type of preparedness against natural disasters. The difference was a considered investment in disaster risk reduction.

Climate change means more incidents of extreme weather events. As I said, we need to risk-proof development. This message is especially critical as we prepare for the Rio-plus 20 Conference next year.

Let me now turn to the emerging nexus between natural disasters and nuclear safety. The tragedy at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant illuminates a 21st century reality.

We must do all we can to promote nuclear safety. This includes thinking about nuclear safety standards, how and where we build nuclear power plants, and how we safeguard nuclear materials.

Last month, when I visited Chernobyl to mark the 25th anniversary of the disaster, I proposed a five-point plan on nuclear safety.

On September 22 this year, I will convene a high-level meeting in New York on nuclear safety and security,

I will present a UN system-wide study on the implications of the accident at Fukushima and build on my five-point plan. The study will look closely at the emerging nexus between natural disasters and nuclear safety.

The September meeting will build on next month's IAEA Conference in Vienna that will address measures needed to enhance nuclear safety in the wake of Fukushima. It will also provide a bridge to the second Nuclear Security Summit next year in Seoul, Korea, by addressing the link between nuclear security and nuclear safety.

Once again, let me thank Ms. Wahlstrom for her leadership and commitment. And I look forward to seeing all of you here tomorrow.

Thank you very much.