Science and Policy Forum for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Science and Policy Forum will take place on 13 and 14 May at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, as part of the preparatory meetings for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction from 13 – 17 May.

Who can attend?

All participants registered for the Global Platform 2019 dialogue can join the Science Forum. Registration is free for both events.

• To register for the Global Platform, click here.
• To register for the Science Forum, click here.
• To register for the Side Event for the CSTD (Commission on Science and Technology for Development) click here.

The priority audiences for the Science and Policy Forum are:

• Policy-makers dealing with the implementation of the Sendai Framework
  nationally;
• Scientists and technology experts actively working in building the knowledge
  and its use in decision-making and action around the Sendai objectives;
• Other stakeholders from civil society, business, media working on supporting
  evidence-based DRR

About the Forum

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 requires sound foundations in knowledge and understanding of risk and resilience to contribute to the attainment of the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. The Sendai Framework, in adopting ‘Understanding Disaster Risk’ as its first priority for action, emphasizes the importance of science and technology in its implementation. It calls for enhanced scientific and technical work on disaster risk reduction in the context of sustainable development and climate change and highlights the need to prioritize the development and dissemination of science-based risk knowledge, technology and innovation.

But it is not just about understanding risk – it is also about building a more integrated science basis which brings together science disciplines from all aspects of the 2030 Agenda, and most importantly ensuring science is used by policy-makers in support of risk-informed decisions and investment.

The Global Platform, with its focus on the resilience dividend, is a key opportunity to highlight the role of science, showcase its opportunities and commitment and encourage dialogue with Governments, private sector representatives and other practitioners.

The results of the discussions will also feed into the High-Level Political Forum, High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development and UN Climate Summit under the auspices of the UN General Assembly in September, and other critical global and regional events with the aim to link the global 2030 agreements and their respective scientific basis closer together.

Objectives

Key objectives of the Science Policy Forum for DRR 2019 are:

• To share and review progress in global, regional, national and local implementation of science-based policy making, risk sensitive development as a basis for enhanced engagement between science and policy for risk-informed decision-making across the 2030 Agenda;
• To identify the key knowledge gaps and opportunities to strengthen the contributions of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary science base to delivering the Sendai Framework including through the operationalization of the Global Science and Technology Road Map;
• To commit collectively to enhanced collaboration for an integrated science approach to DRR, climate change adaptation and sustainable development;
• To fill the current gap in knowledge and application of new technologies for disaster-risk reduction and enhanced resilience.

Please find more information on the Forum via the links and concept notes below, or please contact the Secretariat if you have further questions: [email protected]

About the CSTD Side event: The Role of Engaged Science and Technology to Enhance Disaster Resilience and Empower Communities

The Side event will introduce the Sendai Framework and its connections to the SDGs and other agreements and the work science partners, Ministries of Science, scientific advisors and others must do to enhance understanding of risks for resilient and sustainable communities.

CSTD theme for 2019:

• The impact of rapid technological change on sustainable development.
• The role of science, technology and innovation (STI) in building resilient communities, including through the contribution of citizen science.

To find out more and to register, click here.