Asian conference on disaster reduction 2003: summary report

With the goal to build resilient communities to withstand and live with the risk to natural hazards, and related environmental and technological disasters, this document presents the proceedings of the conference which examines vulnerability in Asia and discusses the state of disaster reduction activities in the region. It focuses on: urban vulnerability and disasters; response to climate change and water related risk; and multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral cooperation to address emerging challenges.

The Asian Conference Disaster Reduction 2003 was held at the International Conference Center in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan on 15-17 January 2003. The Conference was organized by the United Nations Inter-Agency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the Cabinet Office of Japan, the Hyogo Prefecture, the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), and the Disaster Reduction Alliance (DRA). The Conference gathered policy representatives, experts in disaster and disaster risk management from 24 countries in Asia and other parts of the world, and representatives of 26 international and regional organizations.