Transitioning to complex risk management and resilient urban futures: harnessing south-south cooperation and learning from COVID-19
This training provides an opportunity for local authorities and urban development practitioners to mutually learn and share experience in transitioning to managing complex risks and a resilient future. Jointly organized by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (Ä¢¹½´«Ã½) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), it builds upon the prior two editions which were held annually in 2020 and 2021.
Urbanization continues to rise at an unprecedented rate over the next three decades, from 56 per cent in 2021 to 68 per cent in 2050. While the future of humanity is undoubtedly urban where cities are hubs of jobs and opportunities, increase in population density, and informal settlement in high-risk urban areas are mounting challenges for urban populations.
Since 2020, cities around the world have faced even more challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic which exacerbates the vulnerabilities and brings tremendous impact on urban health and well-being. The virus has taken the lives of millions and the public health and social measures brought a huge economic impact to citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic reveals the new reality: cities are living with uncertainties and facing much more complex risks. In order to transition to resilient and sustainable urban futures, cities need to evolve to reflect the interconnectedness of people, planet and prosperity. Cities must transition to systematic risk governance with enhanced understanding of systematic risks.
What you will learn
- Describe the connections between systematic risks, disaster risk reduction, public health emergency response preparedness and South-South and triangular cooperation;
- Explain SSTC trends and policies in disaster risk reduction, the key elements of the Sendai framework and other disaster risk reduction frameworks, and public health responses at urban levels;
- Provide examples of cities’ transitioning to living with COVID-19 and managing complex risk scenarios; share relevant solutions on DRR and health emergency response preparedness, and exchange cities’ SSTC experiences and good practices on DRR and integration of health emergencies preparedness in city urban development actions; and
- Use tools related to disaster risk reduction planning, public health response and SSTC.
Who is this for
- Local and national government officials in charge of disaster risk reduction and management, urban development and planning, public health; emergency preparedness, national associations of municipalities; urban resilience and development practitioners, as well as civil society, private sector, and academia.
- The course is open to all applicants from both developed and developing countries, especially young experts and officials. Participants from Least Developed Countries (LDC) and Small Island Developing countries are highly encouraged.