UNISDR Science & Technology Conference in Geneva on Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

Five CCOUC members participated in the UNISDR Science & Technology Conference on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, hosted by The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) in Geneva, Switzerland from 27 to 29 January 2016. The conference brought together 750 delegates to develop a roadmap that would drive the implementation of the Sendai Framework among the science and technology community. Throughout the three day conference, CCOUC was actively involved in various aspects of the conference.

CCOUC Director Professor Emily Chan served as the rapporteur for Working Group 3 on “Global science and technology networks and platforms”. Ms Gloria Chan, CCOUC Assistant Director, was involved in the coordination of Work stream 2, on “Understanding disaster risk, risk assessment and early warning”. She also served as the rapporteur for the Side Event on “Supporting publishing practices in DRR: Leaving no scientist behind”. Miss Sharon Lo also actively contributed as a moderator for the Side Event on “The role of youth in the application of science for DRR”.

In addition, CCOUC gave three poster presentations during the course of the three days: “Building community health resilience to disasters: a multistakeholder partnership approach”, “Awareness and risk perceptions of extreme temperature warning in a subtropical city in Asia: a glimpse of the young educated population”, and “What are the knowledge gaps in global civil society for disaster risk perceptions? Insights from a global online training program”. These posters showcased the work of CCOUC and drew in researchers and practitioners to connect and discuss potential collaborations.

The conference reemphasised the importance of disaster risk reduction as an investment in sustainable development. It highlighted the translational need between scientific research and decision-making policy, and stressed the involvement of local communities and end-users in disaster risk reduction. The conference also saw the launching of a new Science and Technology Partnership, which will bring together organisations and agencies working in disaster risk reduction, and The Young Scientists Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, which supports intergenerational involvement among the DRR community.