COP28 Side-Event: Enhancing Resilience - UNU Climate Resilience Initiative's Lessons

08 December 2023

Following the devastating floods in the Rhine-Meuse region in July 2021, the issue of climate change and preparedness for extreme events gained significant attention. In response, the United Nations University (UNU) institutes in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands initiated the "UNU Climate Resilience Initiative."- a collaborative effort to share knowledge, and drive proactive adaptation and transformation (https://cri.merit.unu.edu/).

Building upon the research and outcomes of the UNU Flood Knowledge Summit (June) 2022, where stakeholders such as affected citizens, first responders, authorities, researchers, and civil society exchanged experiences and fostered dialogue for collective learning. The Initiative report (June 2023), nearly 2 years after the event, underscores the importance of climate adaptation, innovation, and building resilience in w.r.t escalating climate change risks specifically for the Benelux region, identifying key areas that require further research and urgent action, bridge the gap between research and practice and facilitating effective responses to climate-related challenges via collaboration, knowledge sharing, and proactive measures.

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Agenda

Welcome

Welcome, session design and introduction of the panel, context setting on the UNU-governance report

  • Charlotte Scheerens

Opening remarks and high-level comments on the UNU-CRI report

  • TBC (Minister or a Belgian Government Representative)

Special remarks on interregional cooperation

  • Philippe De Lombaerde (Director, UNU-CRIS)

Research and policy insights

Key messages UNU-CRI report by Prof. Nagabhatla. 10”: Climate Change and Mental Health UNU-project

  • Sanae Okamoto 

UNU-governance report on the 2021 floods

  • Charlotte Scheerens

Panel discussion

  • Nidhi Nagabhatla
  • Sanae Okamoto
  • TBC
  • TBC

Panel discussion on disaster risk governance and emergency responses for Benelux region and insights from beyond

  • Facilitated by Dr. Scheerens. 

Q&A 

Closing remarks

  • Bartel Van de Walle (Director, UNU-MERIT)

8 December 2023

09:30 - 11:00 GST / 06:30 - 08:00 CET

SE Room 2, Expo City Dubai

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