Online Workshop on

Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems for All

through Effective Gender-Responsive Planning,

Digital Government Transformation and Financing 

23 - 25 July 2024

14:00-17:30 (Seoul Time)

06:00-10:30 (Geneva Time)

01:00-04:30 (New York Time)

Registration link:https://bit.ly/2024drrwsregister

An Online Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems for All through Effective Gender-Responsive Planning, Digital Government Transformation and Financing will be held on 23 - 25 July 2024. It is being organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) and its project office - United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) CIFAL Jeju/Jeju International Training Center (JITC) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) and Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030), and UN Women Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality with support from the Incheon Metropolitan City and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea.

The Workshop will introduce concepts and tools to help ensure effective and people-centered Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Early Warning Systems (EWS), and gender-responsive approaches, tools, checklists, and good practices for gender mainstreaming. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of concepts, tools, approaches, and limitations related to designing and implementing multi-hazard early warning systems at the national, local, and regional levels. In particular, participants will be introduced to practical tools for local planning and MHEWS gap assessment developed under the Making Cities Resilient (MCR2030) initiative, which was launched in 2020 to foster inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities by 2030, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11) and other global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda.

Moreover, the training will introduce the Handbook on Strengthening Resilience in Cities and Local Communities through Innovation and Digital Government, along with the Toolkit on Risk-informed Governance and Innovative Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience. These resources, part of UN DESA’s Curriculum on Governance for the Sustainable Development Goals, will provide specific guidance on leveraging innovative technologies for DRR and resilience while integrating gender considerations seamlessly. Furthermore, the training will showcase government initiatives on gender mainstreaming, and inclusive EWS. The training will also assess financial readiness for disaster risk reduction and leverage global finance to address challenges in implementing gender-mainstreamed, disaster-resilient governance and planning with a special focus on disseminating EWS. Throughout the sessions, interactive quiz activities and examples of innovative solutions to build resilience across all levels of society will be provided to enhance learning outcomes and ensure a holistic understanding of gender-integrated disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts.

“Today, one-third of the world’s people, mainly in least developed countries and small island developing states, are still not covered by early warning systems... This is unacceptable, particularly with climate impacts sure to get even worse. Early warnings and action save lives. To that end, today I announce the United Nations will spearhead new action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years.”

-          UN Secretary-General António Guterres on World Meteorological Day 23 March 2022^[1]

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places great importance on disaster risk reduction (DRR) as a cross-cutting element in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development proposes concrete commitments to reduce risk, vulnerability, build capacity and promote resilience to disasters.^[1] Reducing disaster risk and building resilience are interrelated thrusts of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.^[2] The Sendai Framework calls on governments to move towards risk-informed governance arrangements that include broader hazard and risk scope and incorporate the concept of systemic risk. Priorities of the Sendai Framework expressly call for strengthening disaster risk reduction planning, governance, and financing to reduce existing and prevent new disaster risks. The Sendai Framework also calls for people-centered, multi-hazard, multi-sectoral early warning systems (MHEWS) for improved disaster preparedness for effective response and recovery. In particular, Target G of the Sendai Framework advocates for a substantial increase in the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by year 2030.

Nine years to the day after the adoption of the global blueprint for disaster risk reduction by the United Nations Member States, the Gender Action Plan to Support Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was launched on 18 March 2024. It aims to accelerate the implementation of theSendai Framework by substantially increasing resource allocations, activities and impacts of gender-responsive disaster risk reduction and substantially decreasing gender-related disaster risk by 2030.It identifies nine key objectives related to the four priorities of the Sendai Framework and recommends 33 actions that promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in disaster risk reduction.

The 2023 Report of the Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review, adopted by the UN General Assembly in May 2023, highlighted the current gaps in coverage and accessibility to multi-hazard warning systems globally.^[3] The Political Declaration recognized the need to develop further, invest in, and strengthen people-centered multi-hazard early warning systems in all countries, including through enhanced quality of and access to multi-hazard risk data. In 2022, the UN Secretary-General launched the Early Warnings for All initiative to ensure universal coverage of early warning systems by 2027.

In a rapidly evolving world facing multiple, unprecedented crises of post-pandemic economic downturn, climate change, and wars, the world is also undergoing technological progress that it has not experienced before. With these backdrops, the importance of digital government transformation and its adaptation to inform, engage, and protect communities through Early Warning Systems (EWS), is more crucial than ever. The transformation from the traditional disaster risk management approaches with a focus on relief and rehabilitation towards inclusive, participatory, prevention-oriented planning and innovative financing mechanisms aimed at building resilient communities against disasters has been steadily progressing over the past decade. Multi-hazard early warning systems and anticipatory action are central to saving lives and preventing injuries and losses. Multiple studies have shown that women and girls are hit hardest during disasters.^[4] EWS systems that overlook gender considerations persist in weakening disaster mitigation and response efforts, compromising sustainability, accessibility, timeliness, reliability, and effectiveness. This contributes to greater loss of lives, livelihoods, heightened health risks, and sanitation vulnerabilities among women during disasters, consequently prolonging and intensifying the recovery process.^[5] The gender-mainstreamed EWS remains at the margins of the major disaster relief frameworks.^[6]

The UN Global Early Warnings for All Initiative's Executive Action Plan 2023-2027 aims to establish life-saving early warning systems for all by 2027, protecting everyone from hazardous weather, water, or climate events. This cost-effective tool saves lives and reduces economic losses, providing a significantreturn on investment. Despite progress, gaps persist, particularly in small island developing states (SIDS) and least-developed countries (LDCs) and their vulnerable groups. Aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s Acceleration Agenda,the initiative advances climate justice and supports theParis Agreement and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reductionpriorities, notably Target G on accessible early warning systems. It also contributes to the 2030 Agenda's goals on poverty, hunger, health, water, clean energy, climate action, and sustainable cities. Ensuring early warning systems work for everyone is essential.^[7] The blend of digital innovation and risk management provides an unprecedented opportunity to transform how governments predict, mitigate, and respond to emerging and ongoing risks. Integrating gender perspectives into policies and utilizing digital solutions also for the customization of early warning systems to meet the particular needs and vulnerabilities of various demographic groups, such as women, children, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), is essential for comprehensive DRR efforts.

The online workshop, while promoting risk-informed planning, governance and finance, will:

1.       Improve understanding of key DRR and EWS concepts and support gender-responsive localization and implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 target on multi-hazard EWS;

2.       Enhance familiarity with Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) resources to enhance local resilience and inclusivity and explore related tools for assessing MHEWS at the local level and preparing evidence-based risk reduction and resilience planning;

3.       Introduce the Handbook on Strengthening Resilience in Cities and Local Communities through Innovation and Digital Governance as well as the Toolkit on Risk-Informed Governance and Innovative Technology for DRR and Resilience to specifically provide guidance on leveraging data and digital government for DRR and resilience, including women as the primary responders;

4.       Improve understanding of the 11 principles of effective governance for the SDGs for building inclusive local resilience;

5.       Introduce financing framework and knowledge for enhancing resilience to disaster through gender-responsive planning, governance, and implementation, with a particular emphasis on delivering EWS in early warning-deficient areas aligned with the Early Warnings for All initiative;

6.       Enhance the understanding of gender equality, human rights and disaster risk reduction concepts and its interlinkages;

7.       Promote gender-responsive approaches, tools, checklists, and good practices for gender mainstreaming in DRR. These resources can be adapted to other areas, including Digital Government Transformation and Early Warning Systems (EWS)

By the end of the online workshop, participants will have:

a)       Understood the main concepts and global frameworks for gender-responsive EWS in the context of DRR and climate change adaptation, as well as related innovative finance mechanisms in support of the implementation of the SDGs and of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030;

b)      Enhanced their understanding of MCR2030 tools supporting local risk reduction and resilience planning in support of effective, people-centered early warning systems;

c)       Increased their understanding and strengthened their capacities for government innovation, digital technologies and leveraging risk-informed governance for DRR and resilience and its gender aspects;

d)      Improved their understanding of the 11 principles of effective governance for the SDGs for building local resilience with women as the primary responders;

e)      Improved their awareness of financing framework and tools to enhance resilience to disaster through gender-responsive planning, governance, and implementation, with a particular emphasis on delivering EWS in early warning-deficient areas aligned with the Early Warnings for All initiative.

The training will consist of lectures and thematic presentations by experts, case study presentations, interactive Q&A discussions, and knowledge check quizzes and exercises. The workshop is composed of three Sessions and the thematic focus of each session will include:

Session 1: Setting the Scene: Disaster Risk Reduction and Gender-responsive Early Warning and Early Action

 This session will introduce key concepts and issues related to gender-responsive multi-hazard early warning systems in the context of disaster and climate risk and resilience and complex systemic risks. The aim of the session is to strengthen participants’ understanding of the role of MHEWS in the broader context of disaster risk reduction; what constitutes multi-hazard early warning and the four interrelated components that underpin MHEWS, as well as challenges and approaches to ensuring gender-responsive MHEWS; key global policy frameworks, initiatives and new approaches to risk governance and early warning (such as the Early Warnings for All initiative); as well as tools for national and local planning and implementation of gender-responsive MHEWS. In particular, the session will introduce a useful MCR2030 tool for local gap assessment and planning, the MHEWS Addendum to the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, which local governments can use to create a baseline understanding of their resilience progress, identify gaps and needs and identify actions to enhance MHEWS. The session will further introduce global, regional, and national policy frameworks that support gender equality and women’s empowerment in disaster risk reduction, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) and the importance of mainstreaming gender dimensions in early warning and early action. It also will present the Gender-responsive Early Warning & Early Action toolbox, as well as case studies. Participants will get an opportunity to share their experiences during the Q&A and will participate in an interactive quiz to help practice and apply the concepts learned during the session.

Session 2: Digital Government Transformation and AI for Early Warning Systems: Accelerating Resilience and Gender-Responsive Sustainable Development

Risk-informed sustainable development, digital government innovation, and frontier technologies present rapidly evolving prospects for building resilience and gender-responsive Early Warning Systems (EWS) across countries. Effective public governance and digital technologies have the potential to strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability. The concept of resilient communities is encapsulated within Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 thus, to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Governments are increasingly strengthening their governance systems and leveraging frontier technologies to ensure resilience and reduce disaster risk and climate impact. Digital government tools, particularly open data, big data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enable governments to effectively anticipate, prepare, and respond to risks and disasters as part of the early warning systems (EWS). Innovative technologies have become more significant in building resilient societies, especially for countries in special situations to help build back better in times of disaster. To strengthen resilience and accelerate cities’ development, fiscal strategies, plans, and budgets; governance arrangements need to consider all aspects and dimensions of risks.

This session will delve into two main parts:

Part 1: Governance and Technology in Early Warning Systems

The first part will focus on case studies exploring governance structures and innovative technologies utilized in early warning systems. Emphasis will be placed on how these systems support risk-informed sustainable development. Participants will gain insights into effective governance models and digital technological solutions that enhance the capability to predict, respond to, and mitigate risks, ultimately contributing to more resilient and sustainable communities. This segment will also cover key aspects of the UN DESA Handbook on Strengthening Resilience in Cities and Local Communities through Innovation and Digital Government. It will also share the training toolkit on Risk-informed Governance and Innovative Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, part of UN DESA’s Curriculum on Governance for SDGs.

Part 2: Data Collection and Analysis for Gender-Informed Decision-Making

The second part of the session will focus on the need for deeper analysis of nationally representative individual-level data to better understand intersectional inequalities, including gender perspectives, social inclusion, and climate change. Harmonizing data collection within and across countries is crucial for crafting effective policies aimed at promoting gender equality. The importance of Sex, Age, and Disability Disaggregated Data (SADDD) in advancing the participation of women and other groups in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and early warning systems will be discussed. A gender and age marker will also be introduced to enhance these efforts.

Session 3: Financing Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems

Climate-related disasters have increased in terms of frequency and severity, causing a surge in economic and human losses, especially for low-income developing countries. One of the major checklists to be resilient towards disasters is to build enough financial readiness to absolve the possible shocks: gender-responsive climate financing aimed at reducing disaster risk. The financial resiliency from disasters of each Asia-Pacific country is essential to respond, recover, and build back better. In 2022, the Early Warnings for All initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General. This became a pivotal moment to reconfirm the urgency and need for universal coverage by early warning systems by 2027. This imperative decision signals a timely commitment to prioritizing disaster risk reduction efforts, with an estimated global investment requirement of US$800 million.

Both international and domestic efforts on the financial readiness for gender-responsive disaster risk reduction and early warning systems are greatly needed. The session will explore the fundamentals and practices of gender-responsive disaster risk reduction financing with a special focus on disseminating and strengthening countries’ early warning and actions. This aims to equip direct actors and stakeholders with practical knowledge to mobilize domestic and international financing for disaster risk reduction and disseminating early warning systems, thus contributing to the creation of resilient communities. This session will also discuss financing for gender-responsive DRR and WES, including the much-needed resources and support towards existing women-led efforts to render their communities and countries more resilient in the face of worsening disasters and climate impacts. The lectures will be delivered with best practices and up-to-date knowledge demonstrated by experts in this area. Further, they will cover the progress in the financial preparations for the ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative to ensure that stakeholders are well-informed and empowered to seize future opportunities in safeguarding underserved populations worldwide.

This training is open to national and local government officials including SDGs, Sendai Framework, climate and urban development focal points and other stakeholders from national government, civil society and institutions in Asia-Pacific and beyond interested in or supporting early warning systems design and implementation, disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, building resilience, innovative finance mechanism for climate action and sustainable development.

UN DESA/DPIDG/UNPOG, UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC, UNDRR ONEA & GETI and UN Women will issue a joint certificate of participation to participants upon successful completion and meeting the requirements* of the training.

*Requirements: 

● Fully Attend all sessions (3 days) and submit attendance check forms respectively

● Actively participate in all sessions

● Submit the pre-workshop and post-workshop knowledge assessments 

Interested participants are required to complete the registration form by 15 July 2024 at https://bit.ly/2024drrwsregister

DRAFT AGENDA