Today, nearly one-third of the world's population lives in areas at risk, where disasters can potentially occur whether natural risks, linked to the internal and external dynamics of the planet, or technological risks generated by human activities.

The European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA) fosters prevention and risk management of disasters affecting people, livelihoods and the environment. EUR-OPA, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the European Union are responsible for the organisation of the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction, which is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy-makers, experts and practitioners

EUR-OPA provides a platform for co-operation between European and Southern Mediterranean countries in the field of major natural and technological disasters. Its field of action mainly covers knowledge of hazards, risk prevention, preparedness and risk management.

The political decision-making body is the Ministerial Session (held every five years) assisted by the Committee of Permanent Correspondents (held once a year). Setting up EUR-OPA’s priorities through the adoption of the Medium Term Plan, this Committee approves resulting recommendations and resolutions addressed to member States’ competent authorities. It also endorses guidelines for their implementation.

At the scientific and technical level, the work is supported by the Network of the 25 Specialised Euro-Mediterranean Centres. Its specific role is to develop projects, both at the national and regional level, aiming at increasing awareness and resilience to major risks within the population. This agreement also develops methods and tools for an improved disaster management. It collects good practices and builds on lessons learned to propose more effective measures for prevention and protection. Lastly, EUR-OPA disseminates knowledge on the different hazards among the population through social media, smartphone applications and adequate publications

The objective of this enlarged Partial Agreement is that authorities take appropriate measures for disaster risk reduction by increasing resilience and in implementing EUR-OPA’s recommendations and guidance tools.

During the biennium, EUR-OPA will continue to provide a platform for co-operation between European and Southern Mediterranean countries in the field of major natural and technological disasters. Its field of action mainly covers knowledge of hazards, risk prevention, preparedness and risk management. As the vulnerability of individuals and communities is a major factor that increases exposure to disaster risks, the partial agreement will focus its priority activities on the resilience of vulnerable groups.

25 members: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic and Ukraine.