GP2022 Ignite Stage: Importance of investment in disaster risk reduction by IRIDeS Tohoku University

On 25 May 2022, the “Importance of investment in disaster risk reduction” was presented by the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) Tohoku University during the Ignite Stage at the Global Platform 2022.

Prof. Fumihiko Imamura provided a video-recorded keynote speech revealing the efforts of IRIDeS to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework. This was followed by a discussion by Prof. Daisuke Sasaki who introduced the issues in financing investment for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation including the issue on data, definitions, and estimation methods; on harmonization of activities; on justification for investments; and on innovative approaches to maximize impact of investments. He further shared the academic research activities by IRIDeS that address these issues. Prof. Mikio Ishiwatari also presented a cost-benefit analysis case study.

One of their efforts is the Global Centre for Disaster Statistics co-implemented with Sendai City, which is one of the voluntary commitments published in the SFVC platform. This VC addresses the issue on data, definitions and estimation methods to support the monitoring of the Sendai Framework and its targets.

The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful tool to know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables. Good practices and achievements will be highlighted through the online platform.