1. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Regional cooperation in space applications for disaster risk management in Asia and the Pacific Nokeo Ratanavong Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division ESCAP

2. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Regional arm of UN Secretariat in the Asia-Pacific The largest UN regional commission 62 member and associate members Population about 60% of world total Regional Space Applications Programme (RESAP) Launched by the first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development, 1994, Beijing Continued by the second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development, 1999, New Delhi Capacity building at policy, institutional and technical levels Promoting operational use of space technology in priority fields, focusing on disaster management Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

3. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Focused on analytical and normative work Regional cooperation Sharing of information, communications and space technology infrastructure and resources through strengthening/developing regional cooperative mechanisms Regional cooperative mechanisms on the use of space-based information for disaster management Exploring possibility of regional and subregional disaster management communication supporting capacities Promoting regional network of networks on multi-hazards disaster management related information sharing and analysis Enhance disaster preparedness and early warning at community level, improving connectivity including through communication satellites ESCAP efforts related to space applications

4. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Most important information source for Risk assessment and information system Prevention, mitigation and response planning Monitoring and early warning Damage and losses assessment Many space infrastructure have been developed in the region China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia and Thailand are operating satellites for DM Most developing countries lack operational capacity for effective use of the technical tools – usefulness, accessibility and affordability Space-faring countries are taking initiatives to provide their space information resources for disaster management EO satellite information

5. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Regional cooperation initiatives Sentinel-Asia -- Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum Satellite constellation for disaster monitoring -- Asia- Pacific Multilateral Cooperation on Space Technology and Applications International initiatives UN Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN SPIDER) ESCAP partners with UNOOSA to promote regional component of UN SPIDER International Charter on Space and Major Disasters ESCAP is promoting a regional cooperative mechanism to support drought disaster management in partnership with China, India, Thailand and FAO Regional/international initiatives

6. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Towards a regional space information supporting platform for disaster risk management Based on existing and planned initiatives covering the region To provide a harmonized platform to support: Affordable access and effective use of satellite information products and services For informed disaster management and decision making Policy studies conducted by ESCAP Framework on regional cooperation on space technology supported disaster management Framework on space information products and services for disaster management Promoting regional cooperative mechanisms

7. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Disaster emergency communication capacities must be an integral part of national disaster reduction strategy and response plan All countries need to have emergency communication capacities When major disaster happens / to report disaster situation To support emergency responses, particularly when international assistance is needed Such capacities require strong enough stand-by arrangement for possible large scale emergency needs Most small economies have limited capacities for the high maintenance and updating cost Explore the possibility of collaborative stand-by mechanisms to make them affordable to most developing countries Collaborative stand-by emergency communications

8. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 ESCAP resolution 64/1 in April 2008 established its subsidiary bodies Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction Policy options and strategies on multi-hazard DRR Regional cooperation mechanisms for DRR, including space and other technical support systems Multi-hazard assessment, preparedness, early warning and response to disaster risks Committee on Information and Communications Technology ICT applications for DRR The subprogramme on ICT and DRR was established, and the ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division for its implementation RESAP to be implemented by Space Applications Section Disaster risk reduction as ESCAP focus

9. Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, 16-19 June 2009, Geneva Special event: Accessing space-based information to support disaster risk reduction, 16 June 2009 Disaster risk reduction as ESCAP focus The Commission supported the recommendations to: Establish an Asia Pacific Gateway for disaster risk reduction and development - a platform for information sharing and partnerships to assist countries with policies and programmes that deliver economic and social benefits and to ensure that DRR and CCA are integrated with development Improve ICT access to unconnected and underserved people, including Pacific island developing countries, by studying viable options for deploying satellite technologies Enhance regional cooperation through RESAP in cooperation with relevant organizations, to build the capacities of member states at policy, institutional and technical levels in the use of space technology for disaster risk management