A key objective for a global strategy aiming to reduce the impacts of natural and technological hazards is the development of national mechanisms for disaster risk reduction. These mechanisms are indeed concrete manifestations of political willingness and institutional recognition of disaster risk reduction as a relevant issue within the national interests. In order to be effective, these mechanisms, named generically here as 'national platforms', need to be built through a participatory process that includes multi-sectoral perspectives and actions, and a multi-stakeholder composition.