The side event was part of the International Conference on Climate Risk, Vulnerability and Resilience Building agenda. The event not only highlighted areas that required improvement but also presented inspiring opportunities and lessons learned.

For building resilience in a context of climate change, it is paramount that relevant stakeholders and most vulnerable people can assess climate risks to their water, food and energy security. Nevertheless, assessing impacts, vulnerabilities and risks of climate change is not as easy as it may sound and several institutional and systemic capacity gaps come in the way.

As a part of the Impulsouth alliance, researchers from six developing countries conducted research about climate knowledge and capacity needs and gaps to assess impacts, vulnerabilities and risks of climate change – with an emphasis on gender. 

At this parallel event, some researchers shared findings on the capabilities and knowledge that were missing to ensure better risk assessment in the WEF Nexus. 

Looking to complement the analysis of gaps with inspiring opportunities, practitioners shared lessons learned from projects being implemented in LAC and Africa aimed at developing capacities, acting on the WEF Nexus, and improving community resilience.  

Key messages

  • In today’s world, risks are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to predict.
  • To build resilience, it is necessary to have better risk assessment and consider a wide range of factors, including systemic risks.
  • Risk management should be a shared task between the public and private sectors, as both have complementary skills and resources.
  • New technologies, such as machine learning, can help improve risk assessment and informed decision-making.
  • Ultimately, building resilience requires a mindset of continuous prevention and adaptation, and the ability to learn from mistakes and adapt to new situations.

 

 

 

Speakers

– Zo hasina Rabemananjara, Laboratoire de Recherches Appliquées of the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar. 

– John Kaddu, Board Chair of Climate Change Adaptation Innovation (CHAI), Uganda.

– Ambe Emmanuel Cheo, Associate Academic Officer, UNU-ViE 

– Paula Burt, Program Coordinator – Access to Water, Fundación Avina

– Annet Dianah Nannono, Climate Solutions Lab participant, Uganda – facilitator and concluding remarks

– Paula Elliger, Climate action director Fundación Avina