Event Announcement: Supporting the Recovery of Noto Peninsula: Building Disaster-Resilient Communities – Lessons from Noto, Tohoku, and the World on Disaster Prevention and Resilience

International Symposium

Supporting the Recovery of Noto Peninsula: Building Disaster-Resilient Communities – Lessons from Noto, Tohoku, and the World on Disaster Prevention and Resilience

Registration Required

Please note that registration is required to participate in this event.

For In-Person Attendance at the Kanazawa Cultural Hall, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan:
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/qMAj68cz7Y
Registration deadline until March 19th (Wednesday).
For Online Attendance via Zoom:
Registration link: https://unu-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jIghUJ-4TS6cFYLg7Tf-ww

Please consider supporting the JFUNU: Donations for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Relief.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, March 20th, 2025
Time: 13:00-15:50
Venue: Kanazawa Bunka Hall, 3F Conference Room
Format: Hybrid, bilingual (Japanese and English)
Organizers and Supporters: UNU-IAS, Ministry of the Environment, Ishikawa Prefecture, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and Japan Foundation for United Nations University (JFUNU)

Background

The impact of climate change has led to an increase in natural disasters such as heavy rainfall worldwide, and the disaster risk faced by regional communities has become more severe. Last year, the Noto Peninsula experienced disasters caused by earthquakes and heavy rainfall, which had a significant impact on the region’s infrastructure and natural environment. The traditional way of life and culture, which has been maintained in harmony with the region’s rich natural environment, including satoyama, satoumi, and terraced rice paddies, is also facing a significant crisis. In this context, it is essential to consider how to build disaster-resilient regions.

Symposium Objectives

Deepen understanding of disaster risk
Explore the potential of disaster prevention and revitalization using regional resources
Build a model for disaster-resilient regional development

Programme

MC: Yoko Tomita (Programme Coordinator, UNU-IAS OUIK)

13:00-13:10	Opening Remarks:
	Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS) Representative from Ishikawa Prefecture
13:10-13:55	Keynote Speeches:
	Current Status and Risks in the Noto Region (tentative): Dr. Seiji Yanai (Specially Appointed Professor, Faculty of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University) Nature-based Climate Adaptation and Disaster Prevention/Mitigation (tentative): Dr. Youssef Nassef (Director, Adaptation Programme, UNFCCC) (TBA): Dr. Eva Kraus (Director of the Bundeskunsthalle (Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany)
	Break

14:10-15:45	Introduction of Regional Activities and Panel Discussion:
	Theme: Recovery and disaster preparedness for resilient communities: What can be done in the region now to prepare? (tentative)
	Moderator: Dr. Tsunao Watanabe (Researcher, UNU-IAS OUIK) Panelists (tentative):
	Mr. Shozo Toki (Noto Peninsula Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Promotion Department, Ishikawa Prefecture) Ms. Sayako Koyama (Researcher, UNU-IAS OUIK) Mr.Takamitsu Haiya (Reconstruction Division, Noto Town) Mr. Choichiro Ohno (Notohahaso Co., Ltd.) Dr. Thomas Elmqvist (Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University) Dr. Osamu Saito (Principal Policy Researcher, Biodiversity & Forests, Strategic Management Office, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies – IGES)
	Comments from the Ministry of the Environment: Takuya Ishikawa (Director, Office for Circular and Ecological Economy, Ministry of the Environment) Feedback Comments: Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi (President, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies – IGES)
15:45-15:50	Closing Remarks:
	Dr. Shen Xiaomeng (UNU Vice-Rector in Europe (UNU-VIE) and Director of the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)

※The list of speakers, program, and other details will be updated periodically.