In the public event organized by Nansen Initiative titled ‘Displacement and the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: What are the Inter-linkages between DRR and Human Mobility?’, ICIMOD highlighted the issue of migration as an adaptation measure and the use of remittances for improving the lives and livelihoods of communities. Displacement and other forms of human mobility in the context of disasters have been noted only recently within national, regional, and international disaster risk reduction plans and frameworks.

At the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction organized by the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre and UNISDR, ICIMOD representatives shared the problems of increased risk and vulnerability in the HKH region and highlighted the need for use of advanced technologies, tools, and techniques in early warning systems for DRR, last mile connectivity, and continued capacity building. The role and a deeper engagement of the private sector in risk reduction and risk prevention efforts was also emphasized.

At a session on ‘Climate Services and Applications for Disaster and Climate Risk Management in a Changing Environment’ organized by Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), ICIMOD and other panel members highlighted the importance of climate services and showcased applications that have been developed to reduce loss of lives and damage to property. Speaking at the session Basanta Shrestha stated how ICIMOD is working with regional and international partners to address mountain development challenges and providing information services in a variety of topics like glaciers and snow dynamics, status of glacial lakes and GLOFs, regional flood outlook, disaster information management system, agriculture information, forest fire detection and monitoring with sms alerts, and community-based early warning system. He highlighted the importance of science and technology and gave examples of the products created by ICIMOD for improving climate services by hydromet agencies.

ICIMOD was present at the ignite stage sharing the work on the promotion of regional cooperation through the development of a flood information system in the HKH region. ICIMOD also co-organized two working sessions on application of earth observation technologies for disaster risk reduction and building resilient future for rural areas.