This year’s Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) will emphasize how satellites, drones, and artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize disaster risk reduction (DRR).
The event is set to take place from October 14 to 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga highlighted that these technologies have the potential to improve disaster prediction, preparedness, and response.
As climate change intensifies the frequency of disasters, AI is becoming increasingly essential to building resilience, she said.
“With the growing threats from climate change, integrating technologies like AI and space-based systems into our DRR strategies is crucial for ensuring a safer and more resilient future. APMCDRR serves as a platform for collaboration on solutions that safeguard both people and the environment,” explained Loyzaga.
She also noted that the Philippines has made strides in disaster management through AI-powered initiatives like GeoRisk Philippines, a multi-agency project led by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
This initiative provides platforms for sharing vital hazard, exposure, and risk information to assist communities, local governments, and national agencies in disaster preparedness and planning.
The conference, led by DOST Secretary Renato Solidum and Professor Saini Yang of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk, will showcase how AI, satellite technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles, and indigenous knowledge can enhance weather forecasting and risk assessments.
In line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, these discussions will focus on reducing disaster risks and safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
The event will also explore the integration of modern technologies with nature-based solutions and traditional practices to protect ecosystems from climate-related impacts, a pressing concern for the Philippines.
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