12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
[P-44] The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2019: Pathways for resilience, inclusion and empowerment
Keywords:The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report
The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2019 Report captures a comprehensive picture of the complexity of disaster risk in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time. Slow-onset disasters account for nearly two thirds of disaster losses in the region. The intensification and changing geography of disaster risks signal a new climate reality. Hazards are deviating from their usual tracks and becoming more intense, creating greater complexity and deep uncertainty that are harder to predict. The Asia-Pacific region is facing complex disaster risks clustered around hotspots where fragile environments are converging with critical socioeconomic vulnerabilities. It is demonstrated that disasters widen inequalities in outcomes and opportunities and slow down poverty reduction.
Furthermore, the Report highlights that inclusive investments can outpace disaster risk. It is indicated how a comprehensive portfolio of risk-informed investments in social sectors may reduce the numbers of people living in extreme poverty. Investments in resilience deliver important social co-benefits. Thus, policymakers can enhance the quality of investments through policy reforms for more inclusive and empowered societies. Furthermore, big data innovations help to mitigate the challenges of climate reality. It is vital that vulnerable, marginalized groups are protected from disaster risks, so that everybody can benefit from this rich, new source of information and knowledge.
Countries have committed themselves to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’. Ultimately regional cooperation is required to reinforce national efforts. ESCAP can support this through the Asia-Pacific Disaster Resilience Network (APDRN), which will pool the strengths of the region to address transboundary disasters as all countries of the region adjust to the new climate reality.
Furthermore, the Report highlights that inclusive investments can outpace disaster risk. It is indicated how a comprehensive portfolio of risk-informed investments in social sectors may reduce the numbers of people living in extreme poverty. Investments in resilience deliver important social co-benefits. Thus, policymakers can enhance the quality of investments through policy reforms for more inclusive and empowered societies. Furthermore, big data innovations help to mitigate the challenges of climate reality. It is vital that vulnerable, marginalized groups are protected from disaster risks, so that everybody can benefit from this rich, new source of information and knowledge.
Countries have committed themselves to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’. Ultimately regional cooperation is required to reinforce national efforts. ESCAP can support this through the Asia-Pacific Disaster Resilience Network (APDRN), which will pool the strengths of the region to address transboundary disasters as all countries of the region adjust to the new climate reality.