1st Asian Science and Technology Conference forDisaster Risk Reduction:
Science-Policy dialogue for Implementation of the Sendai Framework
23-24 August 2016, Bangkok, Thailand
Conference Outcome

Introduction
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 shifts the focus frommanaging disasters to managing risks. Such a shift requires a better understanding of risk in
all its dimensions of hazards, exposure and vulnerability; a disaster risk governance thatensures disaster risk is factored into planning and development at all levels across all sectors
as well as in disaster preparedness, rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction; and costbenefit analysis to support prioritization of investments in disaster risk reduction (DRR) for
long-term resilience.
The Sendai Framework emphasizes the role of science and technology. It calls to prioritize
the development and dissemination of science-based risk knowledge, methodologies andtools, science and technology work on DRR through existing networks and research
institutions and strengthened interface between science and policy to support all fourpriority areas: understanding disaster risk; disaster risk governance; investing in DRR forresilience; and enhancing disaster preparedness for response and to build back better.
A ‘Science and Technology Roadmap to Support the Implementation of the Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030’1 has been agreed as the result of theUnited Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Science and Technology
Conference in January 2016. The Roadmap includes expected outcomes, actions, anddeliverables under each of the four priorities of the Sendai Framework.
Asia has been the world’s hotspot of economic development and innovation in terms ofscience and technology over recent decades. At the same time, the region continues to behighly exposed and vulnerable to disasters. Science and technology-based DRR was apriority in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action in Asia. At the 6th Asia
Ministerial Conference on DRR (AMCDRR) in 2014, the Science Technology Academia
Stakeholder Group made a series of commitments to: promote a holistic, science-based
approach towards community resilience; support the use of science and technology
advancements through increased earth observation; develop course curriculum andpromote higher education in DRR; and promote community- and problem-based
implementation research.
The 1st Asian Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction was organizedby the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII) of the Royal Thai Government Ministry of
1 https://www.unisdr.org/files/45270_unisdrscienceandtechnologyroadmap.pdf

Final: 15 September 2016 - 1 -Science and Technology and UNISDR, in collaboration with UNISDR’s Asian Science
Technology and Academia Advisory Group (ASTAAG), Integrated Research on Disaster Risk
(IRDR), Future Earth and other scientific organizations and networks.
The Conference brought together more than 300 senior policy-makers, practitioners,researchers and academics, civil society and the private sector in the realm of disaster riskreduction from across Asia, and more widely, to discuss how to strengthen science based
DRR policy development in support of the implementation of the Sendai Framework in Asia.
Actions for Science and Technology-based DRR in Asia
The following recommended actions align with and contribute to the global ‘Science andTechnology Roadmap”. They take due consideration of the forthcoming Asian Ministerial
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in November 2016 and one of its expected main
outcomes, the Asia Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework.
Priority 1 – Understanding Disaster Risk
1. Enhance disaster loss and damage accounting, national and local disaster risk
assessment and communication of disaster risk, with a specific focus on urban risks.
This should be done through: data standardization; appropriate and robust
methodologies and tools; building the capacities of both the scientific community for
dynamic research and innovation to cope with fast changing context of hazards andvulnerabilities, and DRR practitioners to apply such methods; and promoting the roleof mass media, civil society and people working with communities to translatescientific information into understandable and accessible risk information. A Multihazard, multi-scale, multi-stakeholder, and multi-facet approach and participatory
process should be a standard.
2. Use space and disaster risk mapping technologies and strengthen the capacity forusing these technologies for improved understanding of disaster risks at global,national and local level.
3. Strengthen regional exchange on disaster risk information and science in order tobetter understand complex disaster risks including risks of transboundary, cascading
and compound disasters.
Priority 2 – Disaster Risk Governance
4. Strengthen science-policy-practice nexus at all levels (national, local, transboundaryand regional) through: increased dialogue and networking among scientists, policy
makers and practitioners; better evidence to inform decision making and proactive
involvement of the science and technology community in regional, national and local
platforms for DRR. Support these platforms to be multi-stakeholder partnerships,
particularly including the private sector, civil society, media and communities at-risk
to deliver science-based solutions and technological user-friendly tools and methods
to reduce disaster risk and strengthen resilience.

Final: 15 September 2016 - 2 -5. Develop inter-disciplinary national science and technology plans to support
implementation of the Sendai Framework. This includes actions by
academia/universities to develop their own disaster risk management plans.
6. Enhance collaboration between local governments, academia and other partners topromote local communities’’ knowledge and traditions and to sustain and replicate
many good practices that exist locally for science-based decision making.
Priority 3 – Invest in DRR for Resilience
1. Make DRR an area of focus within education including networking between
universities. Jointly develop research and higher education programmes thatcontribute to the building of resilient communities and societies. Promoteknowledge broker education and training programmes to help close the gap
between disaster risk science and people including through community networks
such as faith-based organizations
2. Ensure risk-sensitive investments. Enhance the role of the science and technology
community in building public private partnerships for the purpose of reducing
vulnerabilities of communities and ecosystems-at-risk, preventing risks and building
resilience of critical infrastructure, essential services as well as emerging industries.
3. Develop young professionals in the field of multi-disciplinary disaster risk reduction.
In particular, more women and girls should be engaged in DRR research and agender marker should be a key element of many aspects of such enquiry.

Priority 4 – Enhance disaster preparedness for effective response and to Build Back Better
4. Promote the role of inter-disciplinary science and technology in effective predisaster planning, preparedness, response, rehabilitation, recovery andreconstruction to build back better. Promote the combination of traditional
knowledge and modern science. Enhance regional cooperation, particularly for
preparedness, response and build back better in transboundary disasters.
5. Develop an efficient and effective cooperation among the science community andbusiness sector by utilizing the advancements of the fast developing information andcommunication technology (ICT) including big data.
6. Research into innovative solutions to promote the whole-of-society engagement;
innovative financial mechanisms to maximize social capital for DRR (such as adisaster resilience fund to provide urgently needed resources to disaster affected
communities for quick recovery), and to help the business sector shift towards
sustainable and resilient development pathway.
The Way Forward
This Outcome Document will be shared at the 2016 AMCDRR. Participants of the conference
will also share the document with relevant governments, organizations, communities andother stakeholders to promote the implementation of the recommended actions.
Final: 15 September 2016 - 3 -Asia’s science, technology and academia community agreed to hold an Asian Science andTechnology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction every two years in advance of theAMCDRR so that science and technology influences the implementation and monitoring ofthe Asia Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework. The 2 nd Asian Scienceand Technology Conference for DRR will be hosted by the National Commission for DRR ofChina in 2018.
To prepare for the Asian Science and Technology Conference on DRR, progress of scienceand technology in DRR will be mapped periodically in different countries in terms of: i)science and technology as part of decision making; ii) investment in science and technology
including strengthening the capacity of academic and research institutions; and iii) how
science and technology links to people. This should be done through multi-stakeholder
consultations and in close cooperation with national platforms for DRR. Review of progressin implementing recommended actions from previous conferences will also be an importantpart of each biennial conference.
The UNISDR Asia Science Technology Academia Advisory Group (ASTAAG) could be utilized
as a key resource to strengthen regional networking and to provide advice and insight toboost national science and technology capacities. As part of this role, ASTAAG should
disseminate the successful applications of science and technology in mitigating risks fromdifferent types of hazards including flood, earthquake, drought, health and other climaterelated hazards showcased at this conference.

Final: 15 September 2016 - 4 -