Partnership Charter GLOBAL FACILITY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION AND RECOVERY 1 partnership charter I. Background 1. The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is a global partnership program administered by the World Bank Group. GFDRR supports developing countries to: (i) mainstream disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in development strategies and investment programs, and (ii) improve the quality and timeliness of resilient recovery and reconstruction following a disaster. 2. GFDRR was launched on September 29, 2006 to support implementation of the Hyogo 1 The GFDRR Partnership Framework for Action 2005-2015 (HFA)1. On March 18, 2015, the Sendai Framework Charter (the Charter) for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) was adopted. GFDRR now was adopted by the Consultative Group on supports the implementation of this framework. February 23, 2007, and amended in 2010 and 2013. II. Mission 2 As adopted on March 18, 2015 by the Third 3. The mission of GFDRR, aligned with the Sendai Framework, is to help build resilient World Conference on societies that manage and adapt to emerging disaster and climate risks, and to contribute Disaster Risk Reduction (March 14-18, 2015, to the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health, and Sendai, Japan) - United in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, Nations, Sendai communities, and countries. Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015- 2030, A/ CONF.224/ 4. GFDRR’s mission supports the Sendai Framework’s goal, which is to: “prevent new and CRP.1 (March 18, 2015), reduce existing disaster risk through the implementation of integrated and inclusive available at www.unisdr. economic, structural, legal, social, health, cultural, educational, environmental, org. technological, political and institutional measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for response and recovery, and thus strengthen resilience.” 2 PARTNERSHIP CHARTER 5. GFDRR pursues this mission by supporting developing countries in their efforts towards: i. Coordinating and scaling up technical and financial assistance; and ii. Strengthening global, regional, and country partnerships. 6. GFDRR supports activities and prioritizes resources based on the following operating principles: i. Targeting developing countries with high exposure and vulnerability to disaster and climate hazards at the national, sub-national and local level, in particular the least developed countries. ii. Responding to countries’ commitment to and demand for resilience-building investments. iii. Developing and supporting the implementation of policies and activities that aim at coherence across sustainable development and growth, food security, health and safety, climate change adaptation, environmental management and disaster risk reduction agendas. iv. Integrating gender, disability, age, and other social vulnerability dimensions to promote equity and an inclusive approach to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. v. Promoting coordination and collaboration among partners and local stakeholders at all levels, including civil society. vi. Demonstrating the potential to leverage additional financing, knowledge and coherence, including from the World Bank Group, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, UN agencies, civil society and private sector organizations, private foundations, and other partners. vii. Preventing and mitigating undue harm to people and their environment within project design and implementation. III. Program Structure 7. GFDRR is organized under the following program structure: i. Country Programs: Activities that promote the mainstreaming of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in country development strategies, national adaptation plans, and investment programs. ii. Thematic Programs: Technical support, capacity, and knowledge development in specialized areas of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. iii. Special Programs: Dedicated programs that target thematic and country priorities in areas of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. 8. The program structure is implemented through contributions provided by partners to trust funds administered by the World Bank Group, including: i. A Multi-Donor Trust Fund (the GFDRR MDTF), comprises a commingled pool of resources. The GFDRR MDTF is the central vehicle through which GFDRR implements its activities within the GFDRR work plan as approved by the Consultative Group. The GLOBAL FACILITY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION AND RECOVERY 3 3 Reference to the Core GFDRR MDTF is also the primary vehicle to support the GFDRR governance structure, Fund under existing Administration partnerships, and management.3 Agreements is deemed ii. A Callable Fund, comprises a commingled pool of resources to support disaster risk to refer to the GFDRR MDTF. management, climate change adaptation, and recovery and reconstruction activities, 4 Reference to a Non- mobilized through specific call of funds. Core Fund under iii. A Single Donor Trust Fund, comprises resources contributed by a single donor to existing Administration Agreements is deemed support a Special Program according to specific preferences, requirements, and to refer to the single- supplemental governance arrangements.4 donor trust funds. 9. The allocation and use of resources under the trust funds is aligned with GFDRR’s work plan, results framework and administrative arrangements. IV. Governance Structure 10. The governance structure of GFDRR comprises: the Consultative Group, the Secretariat, and the Trustee. A. The Consultative Group 11. The Consultative Group is GFDRR’s primary decision-making, oversight, and advisory body. It is comprised of Members and Observers. The Consultative Group has a Chair and Co-chair. A representative of the World Bank Group serves as Chair. A Member of the Consultative Group serves as Co-Chair. 12. The Members of the Consultative Group are: i. The World Bank Group. ii. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. iii. Countries, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, and United Nations (UN) agencies that commit to contributing at least US$ 3 million or an equivalent amount over a three-year period to the GFDRR MDTF, as reflected in an Administration Agreement or amendment thereto. iv. Developing countries committed to contributing at least US$ 500,000 or an equivalent amount over a three-year period to the GFDRR MDTF, as reflected in an Administration Agreement or amendment thereto. v. Developing countries that receive GFDRR support, upon invitation of the Consultative Group, per recommendation of the Secretariat, for a renewable one-year term. vi. Countries or entities that are recommended by the Secretariat due to exceptional cases and are approved by the Consultative Group. Exceptional cases include countries or entities, which due to administrative and/or regulatory constraints, contribute outside of the GFDRR MDTF as the principal vehicle for supporting GFDRR’s activities and that financially meet or exceed the contribution requirements for the GFDRR MDTF. 4 PARTNERSHIP CHARTER 13. Observers include: i. Former and prospective Members. ii. Intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, and UN agencies. iii. Developing countries. iv. Civil society organizations. v. Private sector organizations. vi. Private foundations. vii. Countries or entities whose contribution is below the membership contribution. 14. The roles and responsibilities of the Consultative Group include, but are not limited to: i. Selecting the Co-Chair. ii. Providing strategic directions to the program. iii. Reviewing and approving GFDRR’s work plan, including the strategy and results framework. iv. Reviewing and approving the annual report, including reporting of achievements based on the results frameworks, and studies and reports commissioned by the Consultative Group. v. Commissioning studies and reports, including independent evaluations, to inform decisions and assess the progress and impact of the program. vi. Approving the creation, composition, and terms of reference of advisory or working groups. vii. Inviting developing countries, recipients of GFDRR support, to be non-contributing members of the Consultative Group for a renewable one-year term. viii. Approving Consultative Group membership to countries and entities per paragraph 12(vi). ix. Approving and amending the Charter, per recommendation of the Secretariat. 15. The roles and responsibilities of the Chair, together with the Co-Chair, include, but are not limited to: i. Calling and presiding over regular and any special meetings of the Consultative Group. ii. Consulting and providing strategic advice to the Consultative Group in coordination with the Secretariat. iii. Inviting Observers to the Consultative Group. iv. Declaring all or part of the meeting to be open to Members only. 16. The Co-Chair is selected by the consensus of the Members for a one-year term. The Secretariat facilitates the selection process following guidelines approved by the Consultative Group. GLOBAL FACILITY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION AND RECOVERY 5 17. The Consultative Group meets at least once each year. The Consultative Group makes decisions in meetings through consensus. Members and Observers that are unable to participate during a meeting may provide inputs electronically in advance of the meeting to the Chair and Co-Chair. 18. The Consultative Group may make decisions between meetings on an electronic basis through a process facilitated by the Secretariat. B. The Secretariat 19. The Secretariat supports the mission of GFDRR and manages its day-to-day operations. 20. The Secretariat is housed at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C. and operates under the World Bank Group’s policies and procedures. 21. Staff of the Secretariat, including secondments from GFDRR partners, are employed following the policies and procedures of the World Bank Group. 22. The roles and responsibilities of the Secretariat include, but are not limited to: i. Facilitating the selection of the Co-Chair. ii. Supporting the Consultative Group, including the Chair and Co-Chair. iii. Supporting the organization and deliberations of Consultative Group meetings. iv. Preparing GFDRR’s work plan, including the strategy and results framework. v. Preparing the annual report, including reporting of achievements based on the results frameworks, and studies and reports commissioned by the Consultative Group. vi. Assessing and deciding on activities to implement GFDRR’s work plan. vii. Supervising and evaluating GFDRR activities. viii. Fostering partnerships, including with intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, UN agencies, research and academic institutions, civil society and private sector organizations. ix. Recommending to the Consultative Group the creation, composition, and terms of reference of advisory or working groups. x. Consulting the Consultative Group on the establishment of Special Programs. xi. Recommending to the Consultative Group the invitation of developing countries, recipients of GFDRR support, to be Members for a renewable one-year term. xii. Making recommendations to the Consultative Group membership status for exceptional cases. xiii. Preparing and/or coordinating studies and reports, including independent evaluations, commissioned by the Consultative Group. xiv. Collaborating with the Trustee. xv. Proposing amendments to the Charter. C. The Trustee 23. The World Bank Group is the Trustee of GFDRR. The roles and responsibilities of the Trustee are to: establish and administer trust funds pursuant to World Bank Group policies and procedures and the terms of the Administration Agreements entered into between the trustee and donors. V. General 24. No provision in this Charter is intended to be a waiver of, or impair or limit, any privileges or immunities of any Member, including the World Bank Group under its respective Articles of Agreement or equivalent documents, or any applicable law, all of which are expressly reserved. 25. This Charter may be adopted or amended by the Consultative Group in accordance with the decision-making procedures set forth in Section 17 and 18 of this Charter. The Secretariat maintains and distributes records of any such amendments. 26. Any amendments to this Charter become applicable to the Administration Agreements in accordance with the terms of such Administration Agreements.