UN appoints Kamal Kishore
United Nations Appoints Indian Official Kamal Kishore as Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.In a significant move aimed at bolstering global efforts in disaster risk reduction, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Kamal Kishore, a distinguished figure in India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as his special representative for disaster risk reduction. Kishore, 55, will assume the role of assistant secretary-general and special representative of the secretary-general for disaster risk reduction at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), succeeding Mami Mizutori of Japan.
The announcement was made by Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the secretary-general, during a daily press briefing, where he highlighted Kishore’s extensive experience and expertise in disaster risk reduction, climate action, and sustainable development. Kishore’s illustrious career spans nearly three decades, encompassing pivotal roles within government, the United Nations, and civil society organizations.
Notably, during India’s G20 presidency, Kishore spearheaded the G20 Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, a landmark initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Climate Action Summit in 2019.
Prior to his appointment at the NDMA, Kishore served for nearly 13 years with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where he led global advocacy efforts to integrate disaster resilience concerns into the Sustainable Development Goals. His tenure also saw him lead a global team of disaster risk reduction advisors, providing support to UNDP-programme countries.
Before his UNDP stint, Kishore held key positions such as director of information and research at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre in Bangkok and served as an architect at The Action Research Unit for Development in New Delhi, where he was actively involved in post-disaster reconstruction projects.
Kishore’s expertise extends across various regions, having provided strategic advice and support for post-disaster recovery efforts in countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, The Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
With a Master of Science in Urban Planning, Land and Housing Development from the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Kishore brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to his new role.
As the new special representative for disaster risk reduction, Kishore will play a pivotal role in advancing the UN’s efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters and safeguard development gains, in alignment with the Sendai Framework—a cornerstone agreement of the post-2015 development agenda aimed at enhancing global resilience to disasters. UNDRR, headquartered in Geneva, serves as the UN’s focal point for disaster risk reduction and coordinates the implementation of the Sendai Framework across member states.
