ADB and UNDRR Making Cities Resilient 2030 Hosted City-to-City Learning Forum on Developing Urban Disaster Resilience

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) hosted the City-to-City Learning Forum on Developing Urban Disaster Resilience during 29-31 July, 2024, in Nanning, People’s Republic of China (PRC). This event gathered policymakers, experts and urban leaders from over 15 developing member countries to identify challenges brought by natural hazards to cities and discuss strategies for enhancing urban disaster resilience across the Asia-Pacific region.

In an era where climate-induced disasters are increasingly frequent and severe, the development of urban resilience has never been more critical. The Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework reiterates the extreme challenges to hand and conveys a deep concern that the pace of implementation is not sufficient or equal. Cities across Asia and the Pacific are stepping up their efforts to safeguard communities and infrastructure against disasters.

“At ADB, our dedication to disaster risk management, or DRM, is evidenced through decisive actions and measurable outcomes. In the last decade alone, ADB has mobilized $6.5 billion across 112 stand-alone DRM projects,” said ADB Senior Director of the Water and Urban Development Sector Office, Norio Saito, “These projects, supported by a mix of sovereign loans, grants, and technical assistance, reflect a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional infrastructure development. They are transformative investments that enhance the safety, vitality, and resilience of communities across our region.”

The forum provided a platform for delegates from various countries and cities to share their experiences and investment proposals related to urban disaster resilience. Representatives shared their challenges and innovative solutions, fostering an environment of mutual learning and collaboration. Participants had the opportunity to learn from the successes and best practices of MCR2030 Hub Cities, and ADB’s experience, gaining insights into cost-effective and replicable resilience strategies. These learnings are essential for updating their resilience investment strategies to align with the regional resilience-building agenda and the principles of international good practices.

ADB and UNDRR underscored their commitment to addressing the resilience-building priority of represented cities and countries. Both organizations are dedicated to translating the outcomes and insights gained from the forum into actionable opportunities.

“The sessions we’ve held have not only deepened our understanding but have also laid the groundwork for tangible, actionable strategies that we can all take forward,” said ADB Director of the Water and Urban Development Sector Office, Jingmin Huang, “Let us take the knowledge and strategies discussed here back to our communities and institutions and work diligently to implement them. By doing so, we ensure that our cities are not only resilient but also places where sustainable development thrives despite the challenges posed by natural hazards.”

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.