First forum for urban disaster resiliency - water and sanitation focus

The Forum aims to put the spotlight on the challenges in local urban governments and water supply utilities by the growing frequency of extreme 'natural' disasters in vulnerable regions and less developed and emerging countries. The ultimate goal of the Forum is to reinforce the capacity in disaster response capability and building environmentally sustainable water supply and sanitation systems for disaster resilient societies.

During the forum, representatives from local governments and municipalities will share their experiences and challenges facing their cities. In the following discussion with international organizations and supportive utilities there will be the formulation of a plan forward for an international platform to support vulnerable cities. Some of the present cities may express their interest in joining a future initiative on decentralized cooperation that the Forum for Urban Disaster Resiliency would facilitate.