A/RES/60/196 societies to natural hazards, to build and further strengthen community capacity to cope with disaster risks and to enhance resilience against hazards associated with disasters, while also recognizing the negative impact of natural disasters on economic growth and sustainable development, in particular in developing countries and disaster-prone countries, Noting that the global environment continues to suffer degradation, adding to economic and social vulnerabilities, in particular in developing countries, Taking into account the various ways and forms in which all countries, in particular the more vulnerable countries, are affected by severe natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and volcanic eruptions and extreme weather events such as heat waves, severe droughts, floods and storms, and the El Niño/La Niña events which have global reach, Expressing deep concern at the recent increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and associated natural disasters in some regions of the world and their substantial economic, social and environmental impacts, in particular upon developing countries in those regions, Taking into account that geological and hydrometeorological hazards and their associated natural disasters and their reduction must be addressed in a coherent and effective manner, Noting the need for international and regional cooperation to increase the capacity of countries to respond to the negative impacts of all natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and volcanic eruptions and extreme weather events such as heat waves, severe droughts and floods, and associated natural disasters, in particular in developing countries and disaster-prone countries, Bearing in mind the importance of addressing disaster risks related to changing social, economic, environmental conditions and land use, and the impact of hazards associated with geological events, weather, water, climate variability and climate change, in sector development planning and programmes as well as in postdisaster situations, Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation 1. of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, 7 in particular section II, entitled “Disasters associated with natural hazards and vulnerability: a development challenge”; 2. Recognizes that each State has the primary responsibility for its own sustainable development and for taking effective measures to reduce disaster risk, including for the protection of people on its territory, infrastructure and other national assets from the impact of disasters, including the implementation of and follow-up to the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters,4 and stresses the importance of international cooperation and partnerships to support those national efforts; 3. Urges the international community to continue to address ways and means, including through cooperation and technical assistance, to reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters, including those caused by extreme weather events, in particular in vulnerable developing countries, including least developed countries and in Africa, through the implementation of the International Strategy for _______________ 7 2 A/60/180.

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