HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

2.

Highlights of FY 2021

In the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of ADRC activities, including the Asian Conference on
Disaster Reduction (ACDR), were still held online.

Activities in Figures

Section 2

2.1

Figure 2.1 below shows some of ADRC milestones in FY 2021 at a glance.

Figure 2.1 Highlights of ADRC Activities on FY 2021

2.2

Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction 2021

Last year, the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR) was held online on 14-16 December 2021
with the theme, “Time for Change and Transformation: The Road to a Resilient Asia”. ACDR2021 was anoccasion for general assembly among ADRC member countries, and it also served as venue for discussionsof policies, programmes, projects, activities, and approaches that could facilitate change and transformation
towards a more resilient Asia. ACDR2021 included keynote speeches, high-level round table, thematic
sessions, and side event.
2.2.1

Opening and Keynote Speeches

At the opening, HE Mr NINOYU Satoshi (Minister of State for Disaster Management, Government of Japan)
stressed that strategic DRR actions, such as investing in mitigation and awareness raising, are essential toachieve transformation towards greater resilience. HE Mr Rustam Nazarzoda (Chairman, Committee ofEmergency Situations and Civil Defense, Tajikistan) emphasized the role of regional cooperation (e.g.,knowledge exchange) in addressing recent DRR issues while Prof HAMADA Masanori (Chairman, Asian9

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

Section 2

Figure 2.2 Speakers who provided remarks at the Opening Session

Disaster Reduction Center) told the participants that the ACDR itself was a forum to facilitate DRR actions
that could lead to better transformation.
Three different perspectives were presented during the keynote speeches. Firstly, Ms Mami Mizutori (Special
Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Head of the United
Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) encouraged the governments to pursue actions that will improveclimate risk data, inclusive DRR approaches, localization of DRR efforts, and financing DRR as all thesecontribute to the implementation of the new Asia Pacific Action Plan 2021-2024 of the Sendai Framework.
Secondly, HE Dr Basuki Hadimuljono (Minister for Public Works and Housing of Indonesia) pointed that inhazard-prone countries like Indonesia, strategies that could help overcome the disaster risk management(DRM) challenges (e.g., investing in DRR, build back better approach in recovery, pre-disaster investment,
early warning system, and cooperation in promoting resilient infrastructure) exist and must be scaled-up.
Finally, Ms Sandra Wu Wen-Hsiu (Chairperson and CEO, Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.) built the case for theprivate sector’s role in DRR, emphasizing the sector’s rich experience, skills, and resources. She stated that
Emergency Agreements (EA) with national government agencies – a mechanism pioneered in Japan – isnow adopted in many Asian countries and around the world.

Figure 2.3 Keynote speakers of the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction 2021

2.2.2

High-Level Round Table

High-level officials who delivered statements, include: HE Mr Rustam Nazarzoda (Tajikistan), AssistantCommissioner Yazid Abdullah (Singapore), Mr Md Mohsin (Bangladesh), Dr Syamsul Maarif (Indonesia), MG
G Ariunbuyan (Mongolia), Mr Muhamad Idrees (Pakistan), Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana (Philippines), Major
General Sudantha Ranasinghe (Sri Lanka), Mr Boontham Lertsukekasem (Thailand), and Mr Pham Duc
Luan (Vietnam). The statements generally highlighted the following: (1) investing in DRR and climate change
adaptation, (2) applying multi-hazard early warning system, (3) promoting all-of-society, inclusive, andproactive DRR approaches to ensure that no one is left behind, (4) enhancing capacity building in DRR, and(5) promoting disaster-resilient infrastructures.

10

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

Section 2

Figure 2.4 Officials who delivered statements at the High Level Round Table

2.2.3

TS1: DRR Technologies that Meet Local Needs

Thematic Session 1 (TS1) was
about

developing

DRR

technologies that meet local
needs to create safe, secure,and livable society. Dr Mandira
SinghShrestha(Programme

Coordinator, Climate Services,
Mountain Environment Regional
Information System, ICIMOD)
moderateddrawing

thisinsights

session,onhowtechnologies could contribute intransformation towards a more
resilientsociety.

Dr

HendroFigure 2.5 Speakers of Technical Session 1 of ACDR2021

Wardhono (Director of the Board Managers, PUSPPITA, Indonesia) described how the new technologies at
BNPB (e.g., InaRisk) contributed in managing a recent disaster caused by Mt. Semeru Eruption of 4
December 2021. Dr Seong Sam Kim (Team Leader, Disaster Scientific Investigation Division, Ministry of theInterior and Safety, Republic of Korea) demonstrated the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and drone mappingin detecting disaster damage and assessing the impacts of affected areas. Among the experts, Dr Hasi
Bateer (General Manager, Global Business Development Division, Asia Air Survey Co., Ltd.) demonstrated
the utilization of geospatial data for DRR. He cited the Red Relief Image Map (RRIM) as one example ofvisualising and interpreting digital imagery from satellites. Mr SUZUKI Koji (Project Director, Asian Disaster
Reduction Center) showed how the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) early warning service could
contribute towards transmitting a clear, timely, and actionable warning message directly to the communities,
especially in areas where ground telecommunication systems are limited. Dr David Nguyen (Associate

11

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University) argued the need ofdeveloping an international standard (ISO) for smart community infrastructure to keep the methods simple
and avoid useless operations as well as reduce costs and spread of technologies, especially in Asia.
2.2.4

TS2: Education and Awareness Raising for DRR Actions

Section 2

Thematic
dealt

Session
with

2

(TS2)

strengthening

disaster preparedness througheducationandawareness-raising for promoting proactive

DRR actions. Dr SAKAMOTO
Mayumi (Professor, Graduate
School of Disaster Resilienceand Governance, University of
Hyogo)

moderated

thissession.

She

said

that

in

Japan,

DRR

educationiscovered in all subjects, aiming
to enhance “knowledge andFigure 2.6 Speakers of Technical Session 2 of ACDR2021

skills”, “humanities”, and “abilities to think, judge and express”, which are considered as the three pillars ofeducation. Dr Le Quang Tuan (Deputy Director, Department of Science Technology and International

Cooperation, Vietnam Disaster Management Authority, Vietnam) introduced the CBDRM (2009-2020)
activities, which included training on DRM knowledge and enhancing communication capacity of reporters,
editors, and district radio/television staffers who are in-charge at the grassroots level. Ms Syuzanna Kakoyan(Head of the Department of Education, Administration of Activities with Public, Regional Survey for Seismic
Protection, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Armenia) shared the “Code of Conduct on Earthquake
Protection” in Armenia. The Department of Education implements the code of conduct through games, drills,
and quizzes, and also works closely with mass media and private sector. In his commentary of the session,
Mr FUKASAWA Yoshinobu (Secretary, TeLL-Net/Specially Appointed Professor, Kyushu Sangyo University)
highlighted the importance of preserving and passing on the “live” experiences and lessons from disasters toother areas and generations. He said that sharing live lessons through oral storytelling, photographs,
audiovisual materials, museums, monuments, and music are powerful means of transmitting lessons thatcomplements the formal DRR education in schools.
2.2.5

TS3: Investing in DRR for a Resilient Society

Thematic Session 3 (TS3) discussed investing in disaster risk reduction for a resilient society, where officials
from ADRC member countries shared recent knowledge, perspectives, and approaches to accelerate riskinformed investments. Mr TAKEYA Kimio (Distinguished Technical Advisor on Disaster Risk Reduction,
Japan International Cooperation Agency; and Visiting Professor at International Research Institute ofDisaster Science, Tohoku University) moderated this session, providing an overview of practical methods ofinvesting in DRR. Dr Renato Solidum, Jr (Undersecretary, Department of Science and Technology; and12

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

Officer-in-Charge,

Philippine

Institute of Volcanology andSeismology,

Philippines)

reported about the “GeoRisk
Philippines” as an investment intoachieve

Section 2

DRR

greaterunderstanding of hazards andrisks. Dr Le Minh Nhat (Deputy
DirectorofResponse

Emergency

andDisaster

Recovery Department, Vietnam
DisasterManagement

Authority, Vietnam) presented

Figure 2.7 Speakers of Technical Session 3 of ACDR2021

the investment priorities under the National DRR Plan 2021-2025 of Vietnam. Investments include theconstruction of hydrological monitoring equipment for river water levels, dams, and rainfall as well as
investments in water disaster prevention information system. Mr Abdul Malik Sadat Idris (Director of Water
Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia) reported the Indonesia’s
investment in strengthening of critical infrastructures for flood resilience in 50 high-risk cities, which is
integrated in the National Medium-Term Development Plan. Mr Jerry A. Fano (Assistance Core Head at
Office of the Project Director, Unified Project Management Office, Department of Public Works andHighways, Philippines) shared the pre-disaster investments in flood mitigation in the Philippines. These
investments include the construction and strengthening of flood control structures (e.g., flood gates, floodwalls, and spillways) that reduced flood inundation and economic damage by 85%.
2.2.6

Closing Messages

At the closing, Mr MURAKAMI
Takeo(Director,

International

Cooperation Division, Disaster
Management Bureau, Cabinet
Office, Government of Japan)
pointedthat

CabinetOfficeJapan organized a side event

titled,“Public

andPrivateSeminarfor

Disaster

Risk

Reduction”, at the ACDR2021 topromote DRR technologies ofJapanese companies. He also
encouraged ADRC member-

Figure 2.8 Speakers at the Closing of ACDR2021

countries to strengthen investments in DRR along with COVID-19 recovery as integral part of National DRR
Strategy and in support of the Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework in 2022. Dr OGAWA Yujiro

13

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021(Executive Secretary, ADRC) formally closed the conference with message that member-countries muststrive to accelerate efforts on implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction to help
overcome intensifying disaster risks.

2.3

Online DRR Seminar Series

Section 2

To support the thematic discussions leading to the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR2021),
ADRC organized a series of Online DRR Seminars.
2.3.1

Seminar 1: Investing in DRR for a Resilient Society

Date: 15 June 2021

Theme: Investing in Disaster Risk for a Resilient Society
Number of Participants: 300 from 20 countries
Key Messages:
·

Dr

Jun

Rentschler,

SeniorEconomist at the World Bank,
said that "investing in resilience
is sound, profitable, and urgent."
He supported this claim withevidence-based

casestudiesand statistics showing that every$1

investedininfrastructure

resilience results in $4 in net
benefit. He argued that investingin resilience is urgent concern
and delaying such action iscausing an estimated loss of

Figure 2.9 Speakers of Seminar 1 on 15 June 2021

$100 billion in one year.
·

Mr Ronald Jackson, Head of DRR and Recovery for Building Resilience Team at UNDP-Geneva,
presented UNDP's "Signature Solutions", a Programme that implements six cross-cutting approaches todevelopment: poverty, governance, resilience, environment, energy, and gender. Mr Jackson cited
examples of disaster risk mitigation projects under this Programme, such as in Pakistan (water
conservation), Belize (gender and livelihoods), Ukraine (community-based disaster risk mitigation), Iran(climate change adaptation planning), and Rwanda (awareness raising).
·

Prof NISHIKAWA Satoru at the Disaster Mitigation Research Center of Nagoya University stressed theimportance of "pre-disaster" actions or investments in DRR based on the outcomes of empirical studies
and lessons from past disasters in Japan. He said that after World War 2, Japan was in ashes andinfrastructure recovery was impeded and even further damaged by the impacts of typhoons. In order toprevent future typhoon damage, Japan invested in flood control using funds borrowed from the World
Bank. Since then, Japan has strengthened investments in DRR by regularly evaluating what went wrong
and went right with pre-disaster countermeasures.

14

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021·

Mr NAKAGAWA Masaaki, Executive Director of ADRC, moderated the discussions and offered two key
takeaways at the closing. First, funds for DRR should not be seen as an expense but as an investment.
It was clear from the presentations, and affirmed during the discussions, that $1 in DRR investment
would render $4 in benefits. Moreover, DRR investments are not always infrastructure investments.
Stakeholders can also invest in planning, policies, regulations, databases, and nature-based solutions.
economic growth could expand income inequality, such that poor people remain disproportionately
affected by disasters or global pandemics.

2.3.2

Seminar 2: Education and Awareness Raising for DRR Actions

Date: 13 July 2021
Theme: DRR Education and Awareness Raising through the Passing Down of Lessons from Past
Disasters
Number of Participants: 281 from 18 countries
Key Messages:·

Prof MURAMOTO Toshiaki (IRIDeS,
Tohoku University) introduced an
innovative educational method that
could provide an opportunity forstudents to perceive disasters as"their own business”. This method

involves: (1) interdisciplinary lecturesat school; (2) visits to disasteraffected areas and opportunities tohear the stories from 'kataribe'/storytellers

andinteracting

withvictims; (3) group work to identify

Figure 2.10 Speakers of Seminar 2 on 13 July 2021

challenges for earthquake recovery
and to explore ways to solve those challenges; and (4) planning and execution of lectures on DRR forother students based on their learning.
·

Ms Vanda Lengkong (Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Office) reported the ASEAN Safe School
Initiative (ASSI) in partnership with the civil society organizations (CSOs). The initiative creates space todiscuss and share school safety technical resources, approaches, and sound practices to minimize theimpacts of disasters on children and the education sector. This initiative is unique in that the elements
included in the formal educational system are supplemented with DRR educational activities for children
and parents in the community (e.g., puppet show).

·Dr Sébastien Boret (IRIDeS, Tohoku University) pointed to the importance of museums and monuments
as methods of DRR education, particularly in promoting "collective memory." He cited the example ofAceh Tsunami Museum in Indonesia, which functions not only as a center for education and learning but

15

Section 2

Second, DRR investments must be people-centered. As observed in the past, investments focused on

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

also as a memorial, an evacuation building, and an activity space where the community can gather andinteract.
·

Mr NAKAGAWA Masaaki, ADRC's Executive Director, concluded the event by noting that themethodologies of DRR education are most effective at encouraging proactive learning and action when
they are appropriate for a given context and aligned with a community's culture and practices.

Section 2

2.3.3

Seminar 3: Technologies that Meet Local Needs

Date: 14 September 2021
Theme: Developing DRR Technologies that Meet Local Needs to Build a Safe, Secure, and Lively
Society

Number of Participants: 116 participants from 23 countries
Key Messages:
·

Dr

ONO

Takahiro(Director,

Mitsubishi Corporation Insurance)
said

that

standardizationisimportant to keep methods simple,
avoid

useless

operations,andfacilitate smooth communication.
·

Mr Sanjaya Bhatia (Head of Office,
UNDRR-GETI)

discussed

UNDRR-GETI

isengagedhowindeveloping the ISO standards forthesustainable

developmentofcommunities to make cities resilient

Figure 2.11 Speakers of Seminar 3 on 14 September 2021

(MCR). He highlighted the following
ISO standards: Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life (ISO 37120); Indicators for Smart Cities(ISO 37122);and Indicators for Resilient Cities (ISO 37123).
·

Dr David N. Nguyen (Associate Professor, Tohoku University and Researcher at NIED) reported on the
progress of the work of the ISO Technical Committee in identifying and planning for smart community
infrastructures that enhance DRR. He highlighted the community infrastructures from Australia, Chile,
Colombia, Germany, Greece, Japan, and Turkey.

·

Mr HIRUMA Yoshiki (Vice President, Sustainability Management at the Development Bank of Japan,
DBJ) discussed the application of financing methodologies to design a resilient future. One example isthe utilization of pre-disaster mitigation in business continuity management (BCM) among small andmedium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance safety.

·

Mr Pradeep Kumara Kodippili (Deputy Director, Disaster Management Centre in Sri Lanka) gave apresentation on the disaster early warning systems in Sri Lanka. He described the capacity of his office,the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), as having 77 early warning towers, High Frequency (HF) andVery High Frequency (VHF) communication, intra-government network (IGN), and disaster early
warning network (DEWN) system that could send text messages.

16

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

2.3.4

Seminar 4: GLOF Impact to the Local Economy and Measures

Date: 28 September 2021
Theme: GLOF Impact to the Local Economy and Countermeasures
Number of Participants: 88 participants from 14 countries
Key Messages:
Section 2·

Mr ARAKIDA Masaru (Director of
Research Department at ADRC)
moderatorofthesessionbyfocusing on three questions: Is thenumber of GLOF events increasing
due to climate change? How does
GLOF impact the local economy?
What are the disaster risk reduction
measures for GLOF?
·

Ms Finu Shrestha (Analyst, Remote
Sensing
Geospatial

andGeo-information

Solutions,

ICIMOD)

presented some research findings

Figure 2.12 Speakers of Seminar 4 on 28 September 2021

using remote sensing techniques: (1) a total of 25,614 glacial lakes, in five major river basins of HKH, as
recorded as of 2018; (2) of this total, 47 are potentially dangerous glacial lakes (PDGLs); (3) mass

movement are the main factors for dam failure in the Eastern and Central Himalaya; (4) temperatureand extreme rainfall cause GLOF in the region; and (5) the frequency distribution of GLOF events in thelast 4 decades varies every decade, making it difficult to predict its occurrence.
·

Dr Mandira Singh Shrestha (Programme Coordinator, Climate Services, Mountain Environment
Regional Information System, ICIMOD) stressed the importance of integrating risk assessment, risk
analysis, and risk mitigation in the risk reduction strategy for GLOF (e.g., using Earth Observation toassess, monitor, and understand the risk of GLOF). While it is difficult to predict the occurrence of
GLOF, systematic and continuous monitoring of mountainous environments could offer robust
knowledge, and could strengthen the capacity for early warning.

·

Mr NAKAGAWA Masaaki (Executive Director, ADRC) mentioned that the risks from climate-related
hazards such as GLOF could further intensify. Therefore, it is important to reframe the disaster risk

management (DRM) approach by focusing not just on single hazard at a time but by adopting a multihazards approach.

17

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

2.3.5

Seminar 5: Promoting Disaster Mitigation Strategies

Date: 18 October 2021
Theme: Promoting Disaster Mitigation Strategies for Urban Resilience
Number of Participants: 127 from 14 countries
Key Messages:
Section 2·

Mr KORESAWA Atsushi (Regional
Representative for Asia and thePacific, UN-Habitat) introduced the
Cities and Climate Change Initiative(CCCI)

that

supports

citiesinresponding to the negative impact ofclimate change by putting emphasison participatory processes, soundanalysis,sustainable

planning,

good

urban

governance,

responsive leadership, and practical
initiatives at all levels.
·

Ms

PragyaPRADHAN

Figure 2.13 Speakers of Seminar 5 on 18 October 2021

(Country

Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Nepal) highlighted the recovery and mitigation strategies ofpreserving the heritage settlements, which were damaged during the 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Ms

Pradhan pointed out two key lessons. First, development efforts must be complemented with disasterrisk reduction (DRR) efforts to safeguard lives and properties through risk informed spatial development
planning, infrastructure investments, and economic activities that caters to the need of all. Second,urban resilience is multi-dimensional that entails strengthening of social, economic, institutional, andspatial aspects.
·

Mr Ibani PADAO (Chief, Monitoring and Evaluation Division DHSUD, Philippines) reported that since thelocal governments are at the frontline in the implementation process, the national government of thePhilippines has provided relevant tools and guidelines to resiliency planning. These include:
Mainstreaming Guidelines for Local Land Use and Shelter Plans; Climate and Disaster Risk
Assessment (CDRA) Tool; and National Guide for Climate Resilient Urban Plans and Designs.

·

Mr Christopher ROLLO (Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Philippines) presented the case ofLegazpi City in developing and implementing the adaptation strategy for flood hazard. Legazpi city
utilized the government’s resiliency tools/guidelines to come up with systematic and evidence-based
structuring (e.g., designing sites and buildings that promotes structural resilience, safety of people andfacilitates evacuation and rescue).
·

Ms PANNAPA Na Nan (Director, International Cooperation Section, DDPM Thailand) reported that the
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has been constantly improving its disastermitigation efforts following the 2011 floods that greatly impacted the country. For instance, DDPM
leverages international cooperation support, particularly through the ASEAN Committee on Disaster18

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

Management (ACDM) and AHA Centre in implementing urban resilience projects (e.g., communitybased flood management project).
·

Mr NAKAGAWA Masaaki (Executive Director, ADRC), who moderated the event, mentioned thatbuilding disaster resilient society is the overarching theme of the upcoming Asian Conference on
Disaster Reduction (ACDR) that would further provide an opportunity to discuss other initiatives andSection 2

actions to promote disaster resilience.

2.4

Tsunami Seminar 2021

On 9 March 2022, ADRC held an Online
Tsunami Seminar FY2021, and invited
Assistant

Professor

Gallardo

from

the

Mauricio

Reyes

UniversityofValparaiso in Chile. He gave a lecture
entitled "Experience with Tsunami Risk
Reduction in Chile." In terms of disasterrisks, he noted that Chile is a multihazard country, with earthquakes andtsunamis being the most notable hazards
as experienced in 1960, 2007, 2010, and2015. Tsunami experiences in Chile

Figure 2.14 Prof Mauricio Gallardo of the University of Valparaiso in Chile

offered opportunities to improve andstrengthen tsunami risk management through: 1) technological improvements in early warning systems 2) the
development and adoption of the National Building Code as well as the Reinforcement Code; and 3) theapplication of "Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Maremotos" (SNAM) and "Sistema Integrado de Prediccion y
Alarma de Tsunamis" (SIPAT) to keep people informed about tsunami risks and help provide guidance
relating to evacuation and safety measures. Despite improvements in tsunami risk management, Prof
Gallardo said that Chile remains vulnerable to tsunamis due to the following factors: lack of urban planning;societal, ecological, economical, and cultural complexities; lack of education; poor use of technology; andpoorly maintained infrastructure. He concluded that good risk governance is needed for establishing systems
that can bring order to the complexities of tsunami risk. Mr NAKAGAWA Masaaki, Executive Director of
ADRC, concluded the seminar by saying that ADRC would promote tsunami disaster risk reduction throughsharing of experiences and lessons in Japan and other countries.

2.5

Innovation of the GLIDE Number System

The GLIDE number system, which gives common but unique numbers to disasters all over the world, does
not only support the integration of DRR data in each country, but it also improves the efficiency of retrieval of
information on historical and on-going disasters from various databases across different countries andorganizations. This system is continually improving through further studies and institutional arrangements.

19

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2021

2.5.1

Study on Promoting GLIDE

Once a disaster occurs, an operator of a GLIDE member organization issues a GLIDE number by inputting
disaster information such as location, time, disaster type, initial damage. The GLIDE number being issued
appears on the GLIDE website,
and is also emailed automatically
Section 2

to over 2,000 subscribers. So far,over 7,300 GLIDE numbers havebeen issued. ADRC continues to
conduct

study

onaddressing

technical and practical issues toefficiently promote the utilization of
GLIDE,

includingitsStandard

Operating Procedures (SOP).

Figure 2.15 Slide on Study of Promoting GLIDE

2.5.2

Establishment of the Steering Committee

The GLIDE Steering Committee (SC) was established on 30 June 2021 to facilitate sustainable operation,and during its establishment, the first SC Meeting was held online. A total of 17 participants from 9 founding
and new partner organizations participated in the meeting. Prof ONO Yuichi was selected as the first chair
and ADRC as Secretariat. The
main outcome of the first meeting
was the establishment of threesubcommittees:
OperatingStandard

Procedure(SOP),

Application Programming Interface(API), and Product Development.
The Second SC Meeting took
place on 8 December 2021 withparticipation of 13 people from 6
organizations. In that meeting, thesubcommittees

reported

activities and proposals.

20

their

Figure 2.16 Slide presented during the SC Meeting on 30 June 2021