A new science partnership to confront disaster risk

Source(s): United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

29 January 2016, GENEVA – The first UNISDR Science and Technology Conference closed today with agreement among 700 scientists and disaster risk experts to launch a new Science and Technology Partnership comprising over 65 agencies, networks and organizations.

The head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Dr. Robert Glasser, said: “This unique Partnership has an important role to play in reducing disaster risk, saving lives and reducing economic losses especially in countries which can least afford a disaster. Over 100 million people are affected by disasters every year and we need to pay particular attention to extreme weather and climate-related events which account for 90% of natural hazards.

“It is clear that the Science and Technology Partnership will be key to achieving the targets for reducing disaster losses set out in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 which was agreed by UN member States in March 2015.

“Over the last three days of debate and discussion, this gathering has explored the many ways science can help to achieve these outcomes including improved risk assessment, strengthening of standards, collection of data and the deployment of efficient early warning systems. The Science and Technology Partnership also has a key role to play in generating political and social commitment to invest in disaster risk reduction, to engage the local communities in the applying the science and to present risk information in convincing and actionable ways.”

The Partnership will continue to refine a road map plan designed to assist governments and other stakeholders to implement the Sendai Framework and monitor progress.

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