International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University Uehiro Disaster Risk Reduction Research Division

Seven global targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction include significant reduction in the number of human and economic losses caused by disasters. In order to monitor and evaluate the progress of these targets, each country needs to develop basic disaster loss and damage statistics.

The IRIDeS, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), established the "Global Center for Disaster Statistics" with support from Fujitsu and Pacific Consultants. Specific activities include: promoting the development of disaster damage statistics and related statistics in each country; promoting the monitoring of the progress of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; strengthening risk governance capabilities based on disaster-related statistics; and contributing to mainstreaming disaster risk reduction through policy recommendations.
As an international research institute established in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, it is important to collaborate with researchers in Japan and overseas to address the issue of how to disseminate and implement research outcome to society.

Collaboration with even more diverse partners is essential. Therefore, as a mean, we envisioned to organize an international disaster risk reduction forum in Sendai. The purpose of the forum is to promote the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction by bringing together various organizations and individuals (United Nations, international organizations, governments, private companies and NGOs) in Japan and overseas with solutions that enable disaster risk reduction, sharing and discussing specific solutions that reduce disasters, proposing solutions that create new partnerships, learning from each other, and creating new value.