TOPIC SENTENCE:CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER

MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

STATEMENT:This paper outlines a proposal by the United States for an ARF

workshop on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Management.

Background

The forces of global environmental change are expected to bring major challenges

and new opportunities. The Asia-Pacific regionis prone to natural disasters.

As the frequency of extreme weather accelerates, strains on disaster relief entities

in the region are likely to increase. At the same time, populations and critical

infrastructure will likely face increased exposure to risks. Climate change is a

complex strategic driver with significant economic, societal, and political

implications. Initiatives to adapt to a changing climate are already underway in the

Asia-Pacific region. A CCA and Disaster Management Workshop would offer the

opportunity for ARF partners to share experiences and lessons learned in CCA and

disaster management for the broader benefit of the Asia-Pacific region. The

workshop would support the ASEAN Regional Forum Work Plan on Disaster

Relief 2012-2014key objectives to build capacity for disaster preparedness and risk
reduction, and to “capture and build on shared experiences and lessons learned.” It

also supports Priority Area One of “networking and information sharing to

enhance the capacity of ARF participants,” particularly in the area of risk

assessment. Workshop Format The workshop could be divided into sessions

featuring expert speakers and participant dialogue focused on the following

themes.

•National policies and strategies that consider the implications of climate change

on disaster management, including relief, preparedness, and risk reduction;

•Incorporating climate change considerationsinto national and local risk

assessments, including ways to account for changing or futurerisks rather than sole

ly historical risks;

•Incorporating climate change considerations into national and local development,

investment, and grant strategies, including benefit/cost analysis methodologies to

account for future risk;

•Planning for increased burdens on national and local disaster management

authorities, such as increased requests for disaster relief and recovery services;
•Examples of national and local projects that both reduce disaster risks and adapt to

climate change;

•Planning for the indirect impacts of climate change, such as demographic shifts,

increased urbanization, resource scarcity, etc. on disaster management.

Speakers could employ case studies from ARF partners to highlight what is being

done to incorporate CCA considerations into disaster management. ARF pa

rtners could contribute to the workshop by conveying their experiences and

providing examples of challenges and lessons learned. Expert speakers could

also be invited to provide educational presentations on specific areas of interest.

The workshop could also incorporate a table top exercise on a climate change

adaptation theme to provide participants with another interactive opportunity to

discuss relevant issues and actions. Participation Participants in the workshop

could include Director level officials and subject matter experts from agencies in

ARF partners that handle climate change, disaster management, including

relief, response authorities, and others as appropriate. It may also be appropriate to

invite specialists from relevant international organizations as speakers and

participants. Output A proposed output of this workshop is the identification and

development of examples and smart practices aligned with the above themes to be

shared with ARF partners and the international disaster management community

through online dissemination means such as the ASEAN website,

PreventionWeb.net, social media outlets, etc.

Outcome

A proposed outcome of this workshop is strengthened regional knowledge and

capacity to incorporate CCA considerations into disaster management.

The outcome and outputs of the workshop would be reported to the 2015 ARF

ministerial meeting. Location and Dates It is proposed that theworkshop be two or

three days in duration and held sometime in the 2014/2015 ARF cycle. The

workshop would be conducted in English. The location is to be determined.

Administrative Arrangements International travel, accommodations, and other

related costs necessary for participation will be borne by the participants. Co-

chairing The U.S. is seeking an ASEAN co-chair for this activity and will be

approaching possible partners to determine their interest but would welcome

expressions of interest. Comments Please direct comments or questions on this

proposal to: Tharon Sperry (SperryT@state.gov) Political-Military Advisor, Office

of Multilateral Affairs, U.S. Department of State.