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Roundtable Dialogue on Science for Policy on Disaster Risk Reduction in Mountain Regions held successfully

  • 12 May 2021  |  News

On 12 May 2021, the Roundtable Dialogue on Science for Policy on Disaster Risk Reduction in Mountain Regions (hereafter “the dialogue”) was held successfully both in Chengdu and online. The dialogue was organized by State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology with support from UN Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEP-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP) was one of the co-organizers of the dialogue. Dr. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, attended the dialogue and facilitated the first half of the roundtable and the discussion session. Dr. Chao Fu, Head of the Research Unit of UNEP-IEMP made a presentation at the dialogue.

In response to the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the Flagship Programme of “Climate, Ecosystems and Livelihoods” (CEL) of UNEP, the dialogue aims to collect the insights of scholars from all over the world to develop Natural-based Solutions (NbS) that reduce disasters and eco-environmental risks in mountain regions, enhance the capacity of disaster prevention and mitigation in severely affected areas, and promote ecological environment protection, in order to build a harmonious relationship between human and the nature.

During the dialogue, scientists, policy makers and professionals from the international community shared their experience and insights on strengthening science for policy on disaster risk reduction in mountain areas. Experts and scholars from the UNEP, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), University of Twente, State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), and other institutions made ten themed reports and had in-depth discussions. The topics covered in the dialogue include the development of geological disasters in various time and scale, multi-disaster risk assessment to develop risk reduction plans in a changing environment, the impact of debris flows on social vulnerability and risk evolution after earthquakes, disaster risk reduction and disaster resilience improvement in Hindu Kush Himalaya region, etc.

Scientists, policy makers and professionals from the international community attending the dialogue online

Dr. Chao Fu, Head of Research Unit of UNEP-IEMP, made a presentation with the theme of "Nexus approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction: Experience from the Climate, Ecosystems and Livelihoods (CEL) flagship programme". In his presentation, Dr. Fu introduced the institution background, work areas of UNEP-IEMP and CEL flagship programme. He also took the Ecosystem-based Adaptation through South-South Cooperation (EbA South) project as an example, and shared the experience and achievements of UNEP-IEMP in applying nature-based solutions to ecosystem restoration and livelihood improvement. Finally, he put forward the key information around disaster risk reduction and the realization of sustainable development goals, highlighting the importance of nexus approaches, community participation, multilateral cooperation and women empowerment.

Dr. Chao Fu, UNEP-IEMP Head of Research Unit, making a presentation at the dialogue

In the roundtable session, Dr. Zhang Linxiu, facilitated the discussion and emphasized the importance of applying NbS and other nexus approaches into action, enhancing science for policy, and coordinating multilateral cooperation between countries and organizations to better cope with climate change and reduce disaster risk in mountain regions. The participants shared their experience and exchanged their insights and suggestions on how to further improve the cooperation platform and mechanism of mountain disaster risk reduction and ecological environment protection.

Dr. Zhang Linxiu, Director of UNEP-IEMP, facilitating the roundtable

Ensuring the economic and social development and ecological civilization construction and reduce the disasters and environmental risks in mountainous areas is essential for achieving high-quality development of developing countries. From the perspective of strengthening science for policy, the dialogue focused on disaster prevention and reduction and sustainable development, sought innovative cooperation opportunities, explored comprehensive solutions to reduce disasters and ecological environment risks, and provided theoretical and policy support for the realization of sustainable development goals while achieving international consensus.

To watch the reply of the event, please click here.

Participants at the dialogue in Chengdu

Dr. Linxiu Zhang, UNEP-IEMP Director, with partners at the dialogue

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