The UN-SPIDER Beijing Office and China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) will organize the "The United Nations International Conference on Space-based Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction - Early Warnings for All", scheduled to take place in Beijing later this year in November. The conference, jointly organized with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and other key regional partners, will run from 19 to 21 November and is expected to draw experts, policymakers, and disaster management professionals from around the globe.
This year's conference will focus on the critical role of space-based technologies in enhancing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), especially in developing nations. As climate change and urbanization increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the need for accurate, timely, and universally accessible early warning systems has never been more urgent.
The event will explore the latest advancements in satellite technology and Earth observation, aiming to improve the identification, monitoring, and risk assessment of disaster-prone areas. Participants will also discuss best practices for the dissemination and communication of early warnings, ensuring that those most at risk can take timely and effective action. The conference will serve as a significant step towards achieving the ambitious goal of the "Early Warnings for All" initiative, launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2022.
Online registration is open until 01 October 2024, with limited financial support available for participants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Prior to the Conference, a training programme on “New Satellite Resources for Emergency Response: Disasters Charter, Charter Mapper and other commercial solutions”, co-organised with the Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO), the National Disaster Reduction Centre of China (NDRCC) and the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Asia and the Pacific (RCSSTEAP) will be offered to approximately 25 conference participants. Interested participants for this training programme can sign up through the conference registration platform
Find more information on the dedicated event page or on the event registration page (Indico).
