Source: Big News Network.com

20 March 2015 - In a year when countries are set to adopt a global sustainable development agenda, and to forge a meaningful, binding climate change agreement, world leaders meeting in Sendai, Japan, signed on to a new framework for making the world safer from the threats of natural disasters.

The ruins of a bridge swept away by flash floods in the Solomon Islands in April 2014

From earthquakes to severe flooding, storms to droughts, natural disasters pose an increasing threat to people and property in every region of the world. UNOCHA/Peter Iroga Read more: UN, partners launch humanitarian response for flood-affected Solomon Islands

A father holds his injured child as he surveys the damage to the devastated city of Balakot, Pakistan, following an earthquake in 2005

Over the last decade, more than 700,000 people lost their lives due to natural disasters, and another 1.4 million suffered injuries, with 23 million left homeless. In total, these events affected more than 1.5 billion people over the ten-year period, and economic losses topped $1.3 trillion worldwide, the UN says. IRIN/Edward Parsons Read more: Ahead of global risk reduction conference, UN review finds vast majority of disasters climate-related

A "disaster resilient village" in Shymnagar, Bangladesh, built after the community was wiped out by Cyclone Aila in 2009

Investing in disaster risk reduction saves lives and secures hard-won development gains, says the UN, which has been working with high disaster-risk countries to strengthen structures and institutions for better prevention, mitigation and management of disaster risks. UNDP Bangladesh/Nasif Ahmed Read more: Investing in disaster resilience vital for sustainable development " senior UN official

A mock earthquake drill in Kosovo

Mock drills are proven to expedite the time it takes for people to respond in a real emergency, says the UN. Since 2013, the UN Development Programme " UNDP " has worked with the municipality of Gjilan/Gnjilane in Kosovo, and international partners to ensure that students and the wider community are better prepared for earthquakes and disasters. Following the 2013 drill, above, a national strategy for school safety was put in place, which obliges every primary and secondary school to conduct an earthquake drill once every two years. UNDP Kosovo Read more: Mock drills prepare Kosovo for earthquakes

A Colombian rescue team checks a collapsed building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, following a massive earthquake, in January 2010, that killed 200,000 people and damaged much of the country"s infrastructure

In Haiti, the UN has been working with the Government to train communities to build back better through disaster-resilient construction techniques. UN Photo/Marco Dormino Read more: Haitian women rebuild their lives one brick at a time

Aerial view of destruction along the Indonesian coast caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004

In the wake of the powerful earthquake and devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, which claimed 227,000 lives, countries adopted the landmark Hyogo Framework for Action, a disaster resilience agreement laying out the work required from all different sectors and actors to reduce disaster losses over the period 2005 to 2015. The strategy produced some successes, including the reduction in the number of people directly affected by natural disasters in Asia " where most such disasters occur " by almost one billion, the UN says, but much more needs to be done. UN Photo/Evan Schneider Read more: 'Resilience can become hallmark of 2015,' says UN disaster risk reduction chief

After opening the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, Secretary-General Ban hands the gavel to the Conference President, Japan"s Minister for Disaster Management, Eriko Yamatani

In March 2015, world leaders gathered in Sendai, Japan, to negotiate a successor strategy to the 2005 Hyogo Framework, at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. "What we are discussing here is very real for millions around the world. We must keep their needs in sharp focus during the negotiations on this agreement," said the UN chief as he opened the forum. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Read more: In Japan, UN chief urges global solidarity to strengthen disaster resilience, boost development

Victim of Cyclone Pam - a car crushed by a tree in Vanuatu"s capital, Port Vila

Just as the Sendai Conference kicked off, Tropical Cyclone Pam bore down on Vanuatu, pounding the Pacific archipelago with winds gusting to 320 kilometres per hour (198 miles an hour) " enough to lift an airplane, according to the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Early warnings issued by WMO"s regional centre in Fiji and by local meteorological services helped reduce loss of life, WMO said, but the storm caused major damage to property and infrastructure. UNICEF/NYHQ2015-0441/UNICEF Pacific Read more: Amid logistical challenges, UN focuses on priority needs for cyclone-hit Vanuatu

Children stand outside the remains of their homes in Port Vila, Vanuatu, in the wake of Cyclone Pam

From Sendai, Secretary-General Ban pledged the support of the entire UN system as the extent of the storm"s destruction began to emerge. Up to 60,000 children have been affected by Cyclone Pam, reported the UN Children"s Fund. UNICEF/UNI181134/Crumb Read more: As UN steps up aid efforts, Ban promises "necessary action" to assist cyclone-hit Vanuatu

New, "people-centered" strategy adopted after marathon negotiations in Sendai

After days of discussion, and a final negotiating session that lasted 30 hours, world leaders in Sendai reached agreement on a new blueprint that will enable countries and communities to be better prepared for disasters over the next 15 years. Adoption of the Sendai Framework "opens a major new chapter in sustainable development" as it outlines clear targets and priorities for action which will lead to reduced disaster risk and loss of life, livelihood and health, said Margareta Wahlstr"m (second from left), head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. UNISDR Read more: Sendai: UN conference adopts new, people-centred disaster risk reduction strategy