Building Quality-Oriented Societies in Asia Through Effective Water-Related Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

Asia-Pacific countries are facing growing risks from water-related disasters that are being exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, population growth, and development activities. Effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) are crucial for building quality-oriented societies. This study proposes approaches to DRR and CCA by examining cases and approaches from a special session at the 9th International Conference on Flood Management. This session was held to follow up on the Kumamoto Declaration adopted at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto in April 2022, and demonstrated the determination of heads of states and governments to resolve water issues in the region. The recent disaster cases in Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia highlight the unprecedented scale of water-related disasters. These countries have developed integrated structural and non-structural measures as fundamental solutions, including planning supported by scientific evidence, institutional reforms, and capacity building. However, there is a need to prioritize and strengthen urban planning and land use regulations for effective DRR and CCA. The Kumamoto Declaration emphasized three critical approaches: science and technology, finance, and governance, while the session clarified the effectiveness of these approaches. Leveraging science and technology can help societies develop and implement effective strategies to mitigate climate risks and safeguard vulnerable populations and ecosystems. However, there is a significant investment gap for flood protection, estimated at USD 64 billion per year. Thus, financial arrangements must be established. Meanwhile, good governance is essential for collaboration between local bodies, national governments, and international assistance. Such governance can leverage green infrastructure as a key solution and promote disaster resilience that is both locally driven and nationally relevant.