United Nations-Pakistan International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment, and International Training Course on Space based Disaster Management - Shifting Focus from Reactive to Proactive Approaches
Islamabad, Pakistan, 11 May - 22 May 2026
Hosted by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on behalf of the Government of Pakistan
Important Documents
Conference Announcement
Information Note (TBA)
Agenda (TBA)
Click for Online registration (Last day to register: 15 March 2026)
1. Rationale and Context
Recognizing the critical role of space-based information in strengthening resilience to climate- and disaster-related risks, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in cooperation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, will organize an International Conference on "Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment" from 11 to 15 May 2026, followed by an International Training Course on "Space-Based Disaster Management - Shifting Focus from Reactive to Proactive Approaches" from 18 to 22 May 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The events are organized within the framework of UN-SPIDER and aim to advance the implementation of key global policy frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular emphasis on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and the United Nations Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative.
The Conference will be hosted by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, and co-sponsored by UN-SPIDER and the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET).
2. Conference Objectives
The Conference will provide a strategic forum to:
- Promote the use of space-based technologies and geospatial information to strengthen early warning systems, disaster risk assessment and climate action;
- Support national and regional implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through space-enabled solutions;
- Explore the role of space technologies in advancing climate action across key sectors such as water, agriculture, environment and forestry;
- Assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13, using space-based information;
- Strengthen international and inter-institutional cooperation among governments, international organizations, academia and the space community, with a particular focus on developing countries.
The Training Course aims to:
- Build technical capacity in space-based disaster management within the UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office network, APSCO and ISNET Member States;
- Strengthen participants' skills in quantitative flood and drought risk assessment and climate impact analysis;
- Introduce methodologies for heatwave hazard assessment using satellite-derived parameters;
- Provide practical know-how for conducting national-level disaster risk assessments, with an emphasis on proactive risk management.
3. Programme
International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for EW4All, Climate Actions and Disaster Risk Assessment (11-15 May 2026)
The Conference will include:
- Eight half-day technical sessions;
- High-level panel discussions addressing policy and strategic issues;
- Keynote presentations by invited experts;
- Informational sessions followed by interactive discussions;
- A half-day technical visit to relevant national institutions in Pakistan.
Thematic sessions will address, inter alia:
- United Nations Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative;
- Space technologies supporting EW4All: case studies and good practices;
- Space and geospatial technologies for the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030);
- Space-based approaches to climate action;
- Applications of space technologies for SDG monitoring;
- Disaster risk assessment using space-based data, with a shift from reactive response to proactive risk reduction;
- Satellite data sources, including remote sensing, GNSS and satellite communications, for disaster management.
One or two panel discussions will address cross-cutting themes such as:
- Progress towards Sendai Framework targets;
- Space technologies for water and food security;
- EW4All as a catalyst for strengthening national preparedness and resilience.
A detailed conference programme will be made available in due course.
International Training Course on Space based Disaster Management - Shifting Focus from Reactive to Proactive ApproachesTraining Programme (18-22 May 2026)
The five-day Training Course will combine expert lectures with hands-on technical sessions, covering:
- Introduction to satellite remote sensing and GIS;
- Fundamentals of space-based disaster management;
- Satellite data sources and processing techniques;
- Flood hazard assessment, modelling and damage estimation;
- Drought hazard assessment using satellite data and Google Earth Engine;
- Heatwave hazard assessment using satellite-derived indicators;
- Demonstrations of risk calculators, NatCat models and disaster monitoring tools.
A detailed training programme will be published separately.
Find more information on UNOOSA's website: United Nations/Pakistan International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment
