1st Global Summit of Research Institutes for
Disaster Risk Reduction: Exploring New Paradigmsof Natural Disaster Research Based on the Lessons
Learned from the Great Natural Disasters
24 to 25 November 2011RESOLUTION
DOCUMENT

Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI)
Kyoto University, Uji Campus
Kyoto, Japan

First Global Summit of Research Institutes for Disaster RiskReduction: Exploring New Paradigms of Natural Disaster Research
Based on the Lessons Learned from the Great Natural Disasters
Over the past year, we have seen the worst natural disaster in recent Japan history withthe 2011 Tohoku earthquake, deadly volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, and devastatingfloods in Brazil. We know that these and other types of events from natural hazards will
occur in the future, impacting all countries of the world.
For the purpose of discussing new approaches to disaster mitigation and risk
management, representatives from 25 research institutes in 11 countries met in Kyoto,
Japan on Nov. 24-25, 2011 for the First Global Summit of Research Institutes for
Disaster Risk Reduction.
Recent experiences and studies of the natural disasters around the world have shown,• Rising losses from disasters, despite better scientific understanding• Widespread global effects from local natural hazard events• Increasing vulnerability of both rural areas and growing urban centers• High risks from natural disasters in many developing countries• Need to address rare events and worst case scenarios that have very high losses• Growing complexity of disasters in technically advanced societies• Importance of health issues and human capacity building
Our research institutes have the responsibility to address the evolving issues associatedwith saving lives and reducing economic losses caused by natural disasters. To thispurpose, we commit to,
1. Emphases on new approaches for effective communication to the decision makers andpublic about natural disasters
2. Establishment of global platforms to enhance studies of disaster risk reduction for
short-, mid-, and long-term planning
3. Implementation of interdisciplinary approaches which strive to meaningfully combine
efforts in technological innovations, applications, governances, and education
4. Timely meetings among researchers of these institutes to form and maintain
important communication networking.
5. Publication and distribution of timely research findings that promote open
communication among researchers, government agencies, international committees,
private sector groups, and other groups working in natural hazards
6. Establishment of an international alliance, initially fostered by the Disaster
Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, to organize research institutes
involved in disaster reduction and risk management and move forward on the above
recommendations
We thank the Disaster Prevention Research Institute of Kyoto University, the Japan
Council of National Disaster Research, the International Society for Integrated Disaster
Risk Management, and the Japan Foundation for support in organizing this meeting.
GADRI Secretariat
Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI)
Kyoto University, Uji Campus, Kyoto, Japan