WCDRR Working Session: Earth Observation and High Technology to Reduce Risks

The session during the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) will demonstrate how new innovations in the application of earth observation, satellite imagery, geographic and geospatial information and ICT can support the implementation of the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. The session will share good practices and examples of the practical application of satellite and earth observation data, service and information for disaster risk reduction. Emphasis will be on the users of satellite data and services to identify areas for improvement and increased cooperation. The session will highlight how local communities, particularly in developing countries, have benefitted from these advanced technologies through the sharing geospatial information between remote areas where no conventional communication infrastructure is available. These technologies have also enabled decision-makers and the general public to employ geospatial information in an easy-to-use and affordable manner.

UNOOSA/UN-SPIDER is co-organizing this session with its partners with the following objectives:

• Participants in this session, particularly the potential users of these technologies including member states and relevant international and regional organizations, will be informed how these technologies have contributed to HFA key priority areas and will contribute to reducing risks and increasing resilience of societies around the world, especially in urban areas where the vulnerabilities of human settlements and natural environment are rapidly increasing.
• The participants will also be briefed how these technologies will contribute to the implementation of a post 2015 framework for disaster risk reduction and the monitoring system which could be used to track its implementation through the specific voluntary commitments presented during the session.
• In addition, the session will be used by the organizers to gather feedback from the participants on the background papers provided by the organizers including the: i) White Paper “Earth observations in support of national strategies for disaster-risk management”, ii) “Geospatial Information Technology”, iii ) “Smart Sustainable Development Model Initiative” and iv) “Priority Issues of Disaster Robotics in Japan” document.

The session will take place on 15 March 2015 from 12:00 to 13:30