Status of Science and Technology in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific 2024

This report was developed by the UNDRR’s Asia Pacific Scientific and Technology Advisory Group (AP-STAG), with contributions from the session co-chairs of the Asia Pacific Science Technology Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APSTCDRR) 2024, and scientists and researchers in the Asia-Pacific region. It is based on a comprehensive review and qualitative survey, which examine the application of science and technology to disaster risk reduction, specifically to the four Priorities for Action of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The report is comprised of two parts:

Part 1 presents a regional, survey-based analysis of the progress made with regard to the Science and Technology Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Part 2 includes a regional status review of six selected themes, including:

1. Early Warnings for All
2. Localization, inclusion and governance: role of Science, Technology and Innovation
3. Linking EWS and localization
4. Cities and resilient infrastructure in changing climate
5. Innovation and entrepreneurship for disaster risk and climate resilience
6. Advancing innovation in disaster risk reduction
7. Role of youth and innovation as means to advance science and technology in disaster risk reduction

These seven sections correspond to six sessions of the 5th Asia Pacific Science Technology Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APSTCDRR), which was held in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee in July 2024. The third section is the cross-cutting theme linking EWS (early warning system) and localization.