2. Highlights of 2019/2020

2. Highlights of 2019/2020
2-1. Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction 2019
The Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR) 2019 was held at the Sheraton Ankara
Hotel & Convention Center in Ankara, Turkey on 25-27 November 2019. The conference wasorganized jointly by the Government of Turkey, the Government of Japan, and ADRC. An
annually organized event, ACDR aims to promote the sharing of information and practices for
implementing Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) and the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), and to further enhance partnerships among ADRC membercountries and international and regional DRR organizations. ACDR2019 was attended by 148
participants from 20 countries, as well as representatives of DRR organizations, the academiccommunity, and the private sector. ACDR2019 constituted of an opening session, keynote
speech, special presentation, and the five thematic sessions.

Fig. 2-1-1 Participants of ACDR2019

ACDR2019 began with opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Süleyman Soylu, Minister of Interior,
Government of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mr. TAIRA Masaaki, State Minister of the Cabinet
Office, Government of Japan, Prof. HAMADA Masanori, Chairman of ADRC, H.E. Mr.
MIYAJIMA Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Turkey, and Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu, Head of theDisaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). The keynote speech was given byProf. Dr. Zeki Hasgür, Alt nbaş University, on experiences and lessons learned from the Izmit
Earthquake that struck on 7 August 1999. In the special presentation that followed, Mr. Paul
Elliott Rosenberg, Associate Programme Management Officer of UNDRR encouraged
ADRC-member countries to monitor their efforts in implementing the priority for actions ofSFDRR.
Session one, on “Recent Challenges and Innovative Approaches for Disaster Risk
Reduction,” highlighted cases demonstrating the application of the latest technologies, such as
the monitoring and collection of information using satellite observations and GIS data.
In session two, various reports were given on “Earthquake and Tsunami Risk Management

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Practices,” including building health monitoring, building codes, mitigation of GLOF impacts,and efforts to raise disaster awareness. After the sessions, participants attended a Public &Private Disaster Reduction Seminar, which was a side event organized by the Cabinet Office ofJapan, and then visited the headquarters of AFAD to observe their operation room.
On 26 November, the third session on the theme of “School DRR Education for Enhancing
Capabilities to Cope with Unexpected Situation in Disasters” highlighted reports on school
DRR education practices by member countries, UN and donor agencies, and NGOs. Also, asenior high school student gave a presentation on his experiences and lessons learned at a World
Tsunami Awareness Day 2019 event that was organized in Hokkaido, Japan in 2019.
During session four on the “Development of Strategy for Regional Sandstorm Disaster RiskReduction,” presenters reported on the impacts of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS), as well aspractices for monitoring and measuring these storms, and highlighted the importance ofpromoting cooperation among member countries and at the regional level.
During session five, entitled “Recovery from Mega-Disasters,” member countries gave
presentations on experiences and lessons learned in their recovery process, reaffirming theimportance of preparedness and institutional arrangements for recovery.

Fig. 2-1-2 Session 5

To conclude the conference, ADRC Executive Director Mr. SUZUKI Koji and the session
chairs summarized the sessions.
On 27 November, participants went on a field trip to learn about Turkish history and culture
by visiting various museums and old streets in Ankara city. Details of ACDR2019 are available
on the ADRC website at https://www.adrc.asia/acdr/2019_index.php.

Fig. 2-1-3 Visit to AFAD headquarters

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