COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

5.

Cooperation and Partnerships

In order to advance disaster resilience, ADRC forges cooperation and partnerships among member countries
and partner organizations, including conducting joint research and organizing learning events.

5.1

Research Cooperation

Research projects that started to get implemented in FY2021 include topics pertaining to the use of satellites
for early warning, capacity building in DRR, climate downscaling, and application of Mobipack software.
5.1.1

QZSS Feasibility Studies

In collaboration with the Asia Air Survey, ADRC conducted a survey among 10 experts from member
countries. The survey pertains to Satellite Report for Disaster and Crisis Management (DC Report) using the
Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) – a Japanese constellation of Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS). Since QZSS has the capacity to send warning information using the space satellites, it is expected
to offer greater application in remote andmountainous areas with poor coverage ofground-based

telecommunications

networks. It would also augment theSection 5

ground telecommunication systems thatare vulnerable to service disruptions
during extreme disaster events. Survey
outcomes offer insights on designing the
QZSS early warning service to effectively
supportevacuation

andresponse

activities (Figure 5.1). In view of thisproject, the Cabinet Office of Japan (inpartnership with ADRC) is initially inviting
the following countries to participate inthefeasibility

studiesdemonstrations:Cambodia,

andChineseIndonesia,

actualTaipei,Malaysia,

Figure 5.1 Flow of early warning service using QZSS in Japan

Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal,

Australia, and Fiji.

5.1.2

Knowledge Co-creation in CDRR

In cooperation with JICA, ADRC conducted the research project pertaining to “Knowledge Co-Creation
Programmes on Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)”. This project covers subject-specifictraining programmes targeted to the five regions: Asia, Latin America, Central Asia and Caucasus, Africa,
and island countries. The project is aimed at clarifying the policy for “Comprehensive DRR” training in linewith the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction (2015-2030). Outcomes of thisproject are expected to improve the contents of JICA’s comprehensive disaster risk reduction training course,

41

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

and make it more effective in promoting the DRR activities based on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction (Figure 5.2).

Section 5

Figure 5.2 Presentation of project outcomes on improving training contents

5.1.3

ERIA Research ProjectThrough the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), ADRC conducted a research
project titled, “Study on Disaster Resilience Policies and Measures for Sustainable Economic Growth in
ASEAN Region”. Under this project, three Japanese experts prepared papers to provide policy advice
pertaining to economic damage from disasters in the ASEAN region, disaster resilience of private sector ofJapan, and investment in disaster risk reduction for sustainable development.
5.1.4

Climate Downscaling Study

Some researchers at ADRC participate in the study on downscaling of climate change impact projection
under the banner of Advanced Study of Climate Change Projection (SENTAN) with Kyoto University as theleading research agency. The research comprises five components: 1) Hazard Integration Model, 2) Hazard
Mechanism, 3) Hazard Event Attribution, 4) International Collaboration, and 5) Adaptation Strategy. As of

December 2021, a total of 119 researchers have engaged in the project to contribute in achieving the project
goals (Figure 5.3).

42

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

5.1.5

Section 5

Figure 5.3 Goals of climate downscaling study

World Bank Tech-Emerge Resilience Project Termination

Upon recommendation of the Government of Himachal Pradesh in India, the project to strengthen

emergency response using Mobipack (an open source analysis software developed by the University ofTokyo) was terminated in the middle of August 2021 due to unforeseen policy challenges from the National
Government of India. In that project, it was recalled that whenever a mobile phone subscriber sends a
message or makes a call, his or her location is indicated in the call detail record (CDR), which thetelecommunications companies store in their databases. Mobipack can access and process the CDR datafrom the telecommunications company, and can visually show on a dashboard of a computer screen
people’s movement in near real-time. This data could help inform the disaster risk management (DRM)
agency’s decision to take appropriate actions, such as: (i) issuing early warning to people going to hazardous
locations, (ii) monitoring disaster hotspots and infection outbreaks, (iii) informing evacuation operations, and(iv) informing the distribution of relief goods and supplies. It was the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster
Management Authority (HP-SDMA) that coordinated the supposed installation of Mobipack in local

telecommunications companies, covering the entire 12 districts.

5.2International Engagements and Partnerships

Annually, ADRC is engaged in a range of international/regional events and activities to strengthen
partnerships and cooperation in disaster risk reduction.
5.2.1

APEC-EPWGADRC has been serving as co-chair of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG), andhad organized and participated in the following activities in FY 2021:

43

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

17th EPWG Meeting, 20-21 May 2021
In this meeting, the EPWG discussed: 1)
initiatives in responding to COVID-19; 2)
EPWG Strategic Plan 2021-2024 and
EPWG TOR; 3) APEC Putrajaya Vision
2040 Implementation Plan; 4) Cross-Foracollaboration; and 5) capacity building
projects.
ADRC Executive Director Mr NAKAGAWA
Masaaki presented the “Major DisasterFigure 5.4 Screenshot of 17th EPWG Meeting

Events and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Policy Implementations During COVID-19 Pandemic” at the meeting.
·

14th Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum (SDMOF-14), 26 May 2021
SDMOF-14

discussions

revolvedaround two major themes: 1) DRR
polices

includingpreparedness,

Section 5

response, and recovery measuresin light of the COVID-19 pandemic,
and2)

inclusive

participation

and

in

balanceddisastermanagement. Outcomes of the firstthematic discussion highlighted theimportanceof

improvingrisk

governancebyconsidering

thelessons from concurrent crises.

Figure 5.5 Screenshot of 14th SDMOF

Outcomes of second thematic discussions, which was moderated by Dr Gerry Potutan of ADRC,
highlighted three common actions in promoting inclusive and balanced participation in disastermanagement: 1) empowering communities to act in disaster management; 2) forging joint-strategies
among government agencies; and 3) strengthening partnerships and collaboration.

·Workshop on Enhancing Participation in Flood Disaster Preparedness Through Communitybased Hazard Mapping, 17 June 2021
Organized by the University Putra Malaysia, the Global Environment Centre, and the Malaysian Water
Partnership, ADRC presented the “Town Watching” method developed by ADRC Executive Secretary
Professor OGAWA Yujiro, and explained its applications to some 50 participants from APEC economies.

44

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

Workshop for APEC Disaster Risk Management Strategies to Support MSMEs Business
Sustainability, 24-26 August 2021
ADRC sent resource speaker in this workshop, which was organized by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
The event was aimed at increasing MSMEs coping capacity through capacity building Programme andprivate-public partnership and to recommend policy to support MSMEs recovery after a disaster. ADRC
presented the “Policies and Practices of Japan to Support MSMEs DRM”, which was favorably
welcomed by the participants.

·

Workshop on Better Risk Monitoring and Assessment for A Risk-informed Regional Economic

Integration, 23-24 September 2021
EPWG-China hosted this workshop, and ADRC sent two
representatives,

namelyMr

NAKAGAWA

Masaaki(Executive Director of ADRC) and Dr Gerry Potutan(Senior Researcher of ADRC) to serve as panelists. One
session dwelt on Better Disaster Risk Monitoring andAssessment moderated by Ms Fengmin Kan (Former
Regional Chief, Asia-Pacific Regional Office, UNDRR)
Section 5

and the other was about Inclusive DRR for Resilience
Building moderated by Mr Sanny Ramos Jegillos (Senior
Advisor/ Team Leader, Disaster Risk Reduction andRecovery for Building Resilience, Bangkok, Thailand).
The two-day workshop brought together policymakers,
experts, scientists, academia, and practitioners to shareexperiences on better disaster risk monitoring andassessment, risk-smart businesses, and communitybased DRR in the post COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes
Figure 5.6 Screenshot of workshop hosted
by EPWG-Chinaof the event offered insights on activities that contributetowards a risk-informed regional economic integration in
the post COVID-19 world.
5.2.2

ASEAN

Engagements of ADRC in the activities related to the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
and the AHA Centre in FY2021 include the following:·

6th AADMER Partnership Conference, 8 June 2021
The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency
Response(AADMER)isadocument

that

presents

themechanisms for effective disaster risk reduction and calls forstrengthening regional and international cooperation on disasterrisk reduction efforts in order to mitigate the damage caused bynatural hazards in the 10 ASEAN countries. In this partnership

Figure 5.7 ADRC Executive Director
NAKAGAWA Masaaki at the Conference

45

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

conference, ADRC Executive Director NAKAGAWA Masaaki gave a statement highlighting thecontributions of ADRC's DRR projects, such as the GLIDE system for sharing disaster information,
ADRC efforts to strengthen networks among ASEAN countries, and the ERIA (Economic ResearchInstitute for ASEAN and East Asia) research project.
·

AHA Centre Executive (ACE) Programme, 17 November 2021
This event was jointly organized by the AHA Centre and Kobe University to showcase the latest DRR
technology transfer to DRR organizations. ADRC presented the following in one of the sessions: 1)
Outline of the Sentinel Asia, 2) Trend of Emergency Observation Request, and 3) How to register

disaster information into the OPTEMIS system.

Section 5

Figure 5.8 Agenda of the Sentinel Asia Session in the ACE Programme·

Public-Private Seminar on Innovative Policies and Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction, 29
March 2022
The Cabinet Office of Japan, the ASEAN
Secretariat, and in collaboration with ADRC
organized this seminar to support theimplementationof

AADMERWork

Programme 2021-2025. ADRC Executive
Director NAKAGAWA Masaaki presented the
GLobal unique disaster IDEntifier (GLIDE)
and

also

highlighted

otherinnovative

engagements of ADRC, such as Sentinel

46

Figure 5.9 ADRC presentation at the Public-Private Seminar

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Asia, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System-Early Warning Service (QZSS-EWS), Visiting Researchers
Programme (VR), Comprehensive DRR Training along with JICA, and Town Watching for DRR during
this event. Outcomes of the seminar are expected to contribute to the implementation of the AADMERWork Programme 2021-2025 and the development of the ASEAN-Japan Work Plan on Disaster
Management 2021-2025.
·

ASEAN-Japan Work Plan: Workshop on Collaborative Actions, 23 March 2022
This workshop was jointly organized by the
Cabinet Office of Japan and ASEAN
Secretariat. ADRC supported this event bysendingresource

persons.

In

thisworkshop ACDM focal points discussed theidentified

concrete

activities

tobeincorporated into the ASEAN-Japan Work
Plan (e.g., capacity building, evidencebased DRR, and community-based DRR).
Section 5

Figure 5.10 ADRC presentation at the Workshop

5.2.3

APRSAF/Sentinel Asia

Under the framework of the Sentinel Asia – an initiative led by the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency
Forum (APRSAF) to support disaster management with WEB-GIS technology and earth observation satellite
data – ADRC functions as the focal point to receive emergency observation request as well as participate inrelated activities.
·

International Disaster Charter Online Training, 3 February 2022
ADRC

participatedInternational

DisasterintheCharter

Online Training held on February
3 in 2022, and received a lectureonthelateststatusoftheInternational Disaster Charter andhow to register data in COS-2
system.
Figure 5.11 Screenshot of a presentation in the IDC online training·

27th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum, 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021
This session was co-organized by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration

47

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Agency (JAXA). APRSAF has four Working
Groups: (1) Space Applications Working
Group (SAWG); (2) Space Technology
WorkingGroup

Environment(SEUWG);(STWG);

Utilization
and

(4)

(3)

Space

Working

Group

Space

Education

Working Group (SEWG). ADRC is a memberof the Space Applications Working Group(SAWG) and reported on trends in Sentinel
Asia emergency observation requests andits future action plans during the session.

Figure 5.12 Agenda of the SAWG Session in the 27th Session of
APRSAF

Section 5·

5th Symposium on Human Resource Development and Space Data Utilization for Disasters, 25
January 2022
ADRC participated in this symposium, which was jointly organized by Yamaguchi University and Udayana

University. ADRC made a presentation about Sentinel Asia and the Activation of Emergency Observations,explaining

howobservationsareemergency

requested

duringdisasters

and

how

to

memberoftheSentinel

About

70

Programme.

becomeaAsiaexperts,

representing

local

disastermanagement

organizations,

Tokyo

University,

National

theResearch

Institute for Earth Science and Disaster
Resilience,

and

the

organizing

institutions (Yamaguchi University andUdayana University) participated in this
symposium.

5.2.4

Figure 5.13 ADRC presentation in the symposium

ESCAP/WMO: Typhoon Committee

Under the auspices of the Cabinet Office Government of Japan, ADRC has been engaged in the activities of
the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. ADRC participated in most of its activities in FY 2021.

48

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

18th Session of WMO's Regional Association V (Southwest Pacific), 1-3 Sep 2021
As an observer to the constituent
bodies of the World MeteorologicalOrganization(WMO),

ADRC

participated in this session. The key
discussions at the session pertained
to the working structure, strategic
priorities, and flagship initiatives ofRegional Association V in the context
of

the

WMO's

Comprehensive

Regional Reform. ADRC has been
engaging in the activities of theregional

association

toexplorecollaborationonfurthernew

Figure 5.14 Screenshot of the 18th Session of WMO RA-V

initiatives as well as to promotepartnerships that could lead to closer regional cooperation.
Section 5·

16th Working Group on DRR (WGDRR), 5 November 2021
Thirty(30)

representatives

from

ESCAP, WMO, ADRC, Thailand,

Malaysia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, USA,
China (Shanghai, Hong Kong, andMacau), and Typhoon Committee
Secretariat (TCS) participated thevirtual meeting held on 5 November
2021. The key outcome of themeeting was the proposed 2022
Annual Operations Plan (AOP). It
should be noted that this outcome
was later presented and discussed

Figure 5.15 Screenshot of the 16th WGDRR Meeting

further at the 16th Integrated Workshops (16th IWS) of the Typhoon Committee, 2-3 December 2021.

Members of the WGDRR noted that the 2022 AOP is similar to the 2021 AOP, where only AOP6
incurred expenditure. In view of this, members agreed that all the 2021 projects will continue in 2022.
·

16th Integrated Workshop (IWS) of the Typhoon Committee, 2-3 December 2021
The IWS is an annual event for members and observers of the Typhoon Committee (TC) to review theactivities and progress of the four TC working groups: Working Group on Meteorology (WGM); Working
Group on Hydrology (WGH); Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (WGDRR); and Training andResearch Coordination Group (TRCG). During the two-day event, members of each working group

49

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

discussed, in parallel, its respective
priorities in line with the Typhoon
Committee’s Draft Strategic Plan
2022-2026. ADRC is a member ofthe WGDRR, and participated in
discussing priorities and key result
areas (KRAs) of this group.

Figure 5.16 Screenshot of the 54th Session of the Typhoon Committee·

54th Session of the Typhoon Committee, 23-25 February 2022
Lao PDR hosted the 54th Session of the Typhoon Committee which was held online. The event opened
by electing Madam Outhone Phetluangshy (Director General, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology,
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) of Lao PDR and Mr Weng Kun Leong (Director

Section 5

Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau) of Macao, China as Chair and Vice Chair of the 54th Session
respectively. One of the outcomes of the meeting was the presentation of the Committee’s Strategic
Framework 2022-2026 that is aimed at achieving two targets: 1) substantially reduce total mortality
caused by tropical cyclone related disasters of the Members in the decade 2021-2030 compared to theperiod 2005-2015; and 2) Reduce direct economic loss caused by tropical cyclone related disasters in
relation to the total GDP of the Members in the decade 2021-2030 compared to the period 2005-2015.
The 55th Session of the Typhoon Committee will be organized in Macao, China in February 2023.
5.2.5

APP-DRRADRC engages in the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction (APP-DRR), which is a multistakeholder forum for disaster risk reduction focused on the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
ADRC contributes in the APP-DRR, as it serves as the main consultation forum for the Asia-Pacific
Ministerial Conference for DRR (APMCDRR) and implementation of the new Asia Pacific Action Plan of the
Sendai Framework.

·

APP-DRR Forum, 8-9 December 2021
The discussions in this Forum emphasized seizing new regional opportunities in order to make moreprogress through the new Asia Pacific Action Plan (2021-2024), the Global Platform for Disaster Risk
Reduction, 23-38 May 2022 in Bali, Indonesia; the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction (APMCDRR), 19-22 September 2022 in Brisbane, Australia; and the Mid-Term Review of the
Sendai Framework. At the Forum, ADRC Executive Director Mr NAKAGAWA Masaaki, proposed two
points to advance an evidence-based approach for the mid-term review. One is to give more focus ondata development in developing countries to address the lingering challenge of lack of disaster risk

50

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

reduction data. The other is to havegreater actions and increase efforts
in reducing disaster risk in addition todisaster response activities.

Figure 5.17 Screenshot of the APP-DRR Forum 2021

5.2.6

Other International Engagements

Upon invitation of international and regional organizations, ADRC participated in conferences and seminars
in FY 2021 as opportunity to disseminate DRR information as well as strengthen the ADRC network.
·

Workshop on the Accessibility of Emergency Plans and Systems, 15 June 2021
opportunity for DRR institutions and organizations from around the world to give updates on the latest
DRR activities related to the accessibility of emergency and evacuation plans and systems ADRC
presented in Session 3, "Examples of Good Practices for the Accessibility of Emergency and Evacuation

Plans and Systems".

Figure 5.18 Flyer of the Workshop on Accessibility of Emergency Plans·

Workshop on State Resilience to Shocks and Disasters, 13-14 August 2021
This two-day event was held in Freetown, Sierra Leone and organized by the African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction(UNDRR), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission (EC), African Risk Capacity

51

Section 5

This workshop was organized by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services in Turkey. It was an

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS(AFC), and the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS). The discussions
focused on five themes: (1) Disaster Risk
Knowledge; (2) Understanding Disaster Risk
Governance,(3)

Building

Resilience

in

Health, Agriculture, Peace, and Security in
Africa;(4)

Multi-Hazard

Early

Warning

Systems and Emergency Operations; and (5)Developing

Integrated

Disaster

Risk

Financing. Dr Gerry Potutan of ADRC gave apresentation entitled, “Building the Case forMulti-Hazard DRM System Experiences in
Asia during the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
·

Figure 5.19 Screenshot of the workshop hosted by APRM

5th Global Summit of GADRI: Engaging Sciences in Action, 1 September 2022
This summit was organized by the Global
Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes

Section 5(GADRI) managed by Kyoto University.
ADRC

participated

in

the

Panel

Discussion and presented the utilization of

space technology for DRR and goodpractices involving Sentinel Asia. ADRC
suggested the strengthening of networks
betweendisastermanagement

organizations and space agencies as well
as expanding the networks of research

Figure 5.20 Screenshot of the 5th GADRI Global Summit

institutions to support Sentinel Asia.
·

Inter-Regional Dialogue on Regional Cooperation - Application of Cutting-Edge Technology for
Disaster Risk Reduction in China, Japan, and Korea, 13 October 2021
This activity was organized by the Trilateral Cooperation

Secretariat (TCS) and the UNDRR Office for Northeast Asia
(UNDRR ONEA), where ADRC gave a presentation that
included the following case studies: 1) new mapping
technology known as “Red Relief Image Map (RRIM)”; 2)
newcommunication

technology

called“Relay-by-

Smartphone”; and 3) an environmentally-friendly disaster
resilience technology known as “Gabion”.
Figure 5.21 Screenshot of the Inter-Regional
Dialogue

52

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

Workshop on DRR, School Safety, and Safe Reopening of Schools, 21-23 Dec 2021
Upon invitation of the National Institute of Disaster
Management (NIDM), ADRC delivered a keynote
speech at the workshop. ADRC offered insights on
adapting the school disaster risk reduction (School
DRR) activities with the COVID-19 Pandemic during
the re-opening to the officials in India who participatedin the workshop. During the three-day event, thediscussions took a detailed look at the impacts andimplications of COVID-19 on school safety in India
and what countermeasures can be taken for safe
reopening of schools. As a consequence of the
lockdowns, schools in India have been indefinitely
closed. Outcomes of the workshop include crafting
joint strategies among state governments and otherstakeholders for education continuity planning after
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Section 5

Figure 5.22 Flyer of the Workshop on School Safety·

4th Spatial Planning Platform Forum, 9 February 2022
ADRC organized a session entitled "Resilient
Society through Disaster Risk Reduction" at
the 4th Spatial Planning Platform (SPP)
Forum held online on 9 February. The SPP
is an organization led by UN Habitat and thegovernment of Japan, with the participation
of

Asian

countries

andspecializedorganizations, which aims to contribute to thecreation of a sustainable society throughbetter urban and regional planning. The 4th
SPP Forum featured presentations from: 1)

Figure 5.23 Screenshot of the 4th SPP Forum

Prof NISHIKAWA of Nagoya University on planning efforts for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Japan; 2)
Sendai City on the integration of DRR into local government planning; and 3) Philippine Government on
lessons learned from community relocation in the process of disaster recovery and reconstruction.

53

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

Forum on Climate Change and DRR, 13 February 2022
Dr Gerry Potutan, Senior Researcher
of ADRC, gave a lecture in this Forum.
The lecture highlights the importanceof investing in the community byenhancing practical capacities that cancontributetobuilding

disasterresilience. The purok system in the
Municipality of San Francisco, Cebu
Province, is one example of suchinvestment.

Each

purok

in

municipality

had

successfully

this

implemented pre-emptive evacuation
through the support of its community

Figure 5.24 Screenshot of ADRC presentation in the Forum on Climate
Changeleader. Based on this experience, the following insights were drawn about community organizing throughthe purok system: 1) it enhances practical capacities for disaster response and recovery; 2) it
institutionalizes mutual-help in the community; and 3) it prepares the community how to evacuate from
Section 5

and respond to disasters.

54