In a collaborative session conducted in partnership with Safety Assistance for Emergencies (SAFE) the spotlight was on the resilience of communities and ecosystems. Dr Himangana Gupta (Research Fellow UNU-IAS OUIK) and Ms. Yoko Tomita (Coordinator UNU-IAS OUIK), had the privilege of participating in the panel discussion alongside representatives from SAFE (Dr. Dipayan Dey and Dr. Malancha Dey) and UNDP (Mr. Charles Liu).
Dr Gupta and Ms Tomita introduced Kanazawa City’s initiatives for building resilience in ecosystems and communities highlighting the initiatives on biodiversity preservation strategies, utilization of green infrastructure, tourism activities and SDGs implementation project. Meanwhile, case studies from developing nations, particularly Bangladesh and India, offered diverse perspectives on the challenges they face.
The discussion yielded noteworthy insights:
Diverse Challenges: Developed and developing countries encounter varying challenges when it comes to enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and communities. These challenges differ in terms of scale and engagement.
Urban Resilience: Cities must be better equipped to address climate challenges, taking cues from initiatives like ecosystem restoration and citizen engagement, as exemplified by the Kanazawa case.
Financial Support for Developing Nations: Developing countries require sustained financial support for adaptation efforts. Small-scale financing can play a pivotal role in revitalizing indigenous adaptation technologies, offering financially sustainable solutions.
Scaling Up Resilience: Scaling up activities akin to those in Kanazawa necessitates heightened awareness among both governments and citizens. A multi-stakeholder approach is imperative for the successful implementation of such initiatives.
