GNDR Wins 2025 Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction

GNDR has been awarded the 2025 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction, recognising our global contribution to building resilience for those most at risk.

The award, supported by The Nippon Foundation, was presented at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva on 5 June, and celebrates organisations and individuals who are making a difference in reducing disaster risk through inclusive and innovative approaches. This year’s theme focused on “Connecting science to people: democratizing access to innovation and technology for disaster-resilient communities.”

For GNDR, the award is a recognition of the power of civil society and the importance of local leadership in shaping effective disaster risk reduction strategies. Across more than 130 countries, our 1,900+ members work every day to ensure that local knowledge, experiences, and priorities are at the centre of decision-making.

In his acceptance speech, GNDR Executive Director Marcos Concepcion Raba dedicated the award to the network’s members:

“This award is for our members — the community leaders, grassroots organisations, and local advocates who work every day to build resilience in the face of crisis. Their voices, knowledge and action are what drive this network. We are enormously grateful to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and The Nippon Foundation for their support and partnership.”

GNDR’s win highlights a growing global recognition that meaningful disaster risk reduction must be locally-led, inclusive, and rooted in the realities of communities on the frontlines of risk.