Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) participated in the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on 14-18 March 2015 in Sendai, Japan together with almost 6,500 delegates from 187 countries.

The landmark meeting determined the priority areas in disaster risk reduction for the next 15 years, and culminated in the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. The new framework will be a continuation for the global Hyogo Framework for Action, which was adopted in 2005 following the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami.

The four priorities for action as outlined in the new framework for disaster risk reduction include:

Priority 1: Understanding disaster risk
Priority 2: Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk
Priority 3: Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
Priority 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response; and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Based on a comprehensive understanding of the Asian countries’ needs and current priorities in disaster risk reduction, ADPC has laid the foundation for its approach to the new global framework on disaster risk reduction. This has been summarized in a position paper ADPC’s approach to supporting the post-2015 framework for DRR that was published ahead of the conference. Later this year, ADPC will review its Strategy 2020 in order to ensure that its approach continues to be aligned with the global framework for disaster risk reduction.


ADPC side event: Strengthened climate services for improved disaster risk reduction

The public forum, visited by over 40,000 people during the conference, provided an opportunity for different stakeholders to showcase their work and engage in a dialogue on different areas of disaster risk reduction.

ADPC’s side event on Climate Services and Applications for Disaster and Climate Risk Management in a Changing Environment featured a panel discussion highlighting the importance of climate services and showcasing application of climate services to reduce loss of life and damage to property in times of hydro-meteorological disaster. The speakers and panelists shared experiences from various regional and global interventions and applications to strengthen national hydro-meteorological services for improved disaster risk reduction and climate change management.

The keynote speech was given by Dr. Mary Power, Director-RMDP at World Meteorological Organization (WMO), who emphasized on the need for engaging the end-users of climate services in a systematic dialogue.

In a presentation on the lessons learned from the 2011 flooding in Thailand, ADPC’s Special Advisor and former Governor of Bangkok, Thailand, discussed the reasons behind the disaster.

“One reason for the damages caused by flooding in Thailand was the lack of linkages between climate service providers and decision-makers on disaster risk reduction,” Dr. Rattakul said.

ADPC side event: Science applications for disaster risk reduction

ADPC’s side event on Bridging the gap of science applications for disaster risk management provided experts from the scientific and disaster risk reduction communities an opportunity to discuss practical experiences and success stories regarding the use of scientific approaches and tools such as satellite technology, disaster risk assessment, web-based tools, and social media for disaster risk management applications.

The keynote speech was given by Professor Dr. Virginia Murray, Vice Chair of the UNISDR Science and Technical Advisory Group (STAG), and Consultant in Global Disaster Risk Reduction, Public Health England. Professor Murray reiterated the importance of science for disaster risk management and highlighted that science was integrated in various aspects of the draft Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Her speech was followed by a presentation by Mohammad Abdul Qayyum, National Project Director of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) of Bangladesh, on the experiences of utilizing scientific disaster risk assessment and hazard maps to prepare a town plan.

Dr. Agus Wibowo, Head of Data Division of National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) of Indonesia, shared his experiences from the use of the InaSAFE tool to predict the impact of different disaster scenarios for better response planning, and Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director, Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project NOAH), gave a presentation on how storm surge maps have helped save lives in the Philippines. He also touched upon the importance of social media as a medium for information dissemination.

Prof. Dr. Jeong Sangman, Chair of the Korea Society of Hazard Mitigation, emphasized on the role of technology in effective post-disaster activities such as automated damage assessment, tsunami response systems, and volcanic ash spread analysis.

In addition to its own side events, ADPC engaged in a number of sessions, events organized by its partners, and bilateral meetings during the conference. For more highlights, visit our Storify.

Videos from ADPC’s presentations at the Ignite Stage are available on YouTube:

Pedro J.M. Edo: Strengthening resilience of small and medium enterprises

Leila Puutio and Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen: iPrepare: Building awareness of disaster preparedness in communities

ADPC’s Special Advisor spoke at the side event on community resilience organized by the Royal Thai Government.
The event was inaugurated by Ms. Margaretha Wahlström, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for
Disaster Risk Reduction.

The panel discussion at ADPC’s side event on Climate Services and Applications for Disaster and Climate Risk
Management in Changing Environment was joined by Mr. Nadao Kohno, Japan Metrological Administration;
Dr. Basantha Shrestha, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development of Nepal; Dr. Srikantha Herath,
United Nations University; Dr. Yongchul Shin, APEC Climate Centre; Dr. Yun Wontae, Korea Meteorological
Administration; Dr. Mary Power, WMO; Dr. Gavin Iley, UK Met Office; and Dr. Senaka Basnayake, ADPC.
The discussion was moderated by Mr. Atiq Kainan Ahmed from ADPC.

ADPC’s team at the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.