2 october 2025: Panel Discussion and Reception Organized by Ambassador Kano in collaboration with UNESCO, aimed at Strengthening Cooperation with SIDS countries in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction
2025/10/2
On October 2, Ambassador Kano invited representatives of SIDS (Small Island Developing States) and partner countries to his Residence, in collaboration with the UNESCO Secretariat, for a panel discussion entitled “Towards a Partner Platform on SIDS Crisis Preparedness & Response and Disaster Risk Reduction,” followed by a reception aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction.
At the outset of the panel discussion, Ambassador Kano reviewed Japan's past support for SIDS countries in areas such as oceanography and culture, in addition to disaster risk reduction. He also expressed support for UNESCO's Accelerator Programs for SIDS and shared expectations for the future.
The panel discussion also featured presentation by a SIDS country on an evacuation case after a volcanic eruption in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. It fostered extensive and lively discussions on topics including UNESCO's strengths in disaster risk reduction leveraging scientific expertise, the importance of fostering disaster awareness at the community level, the significance of engaging diverse stakeholders and intersectoral cooperation, and the critical need for support tailored to the specific characteristics of SIDS.
Speech by Ambassador Kano (PDF)
At the outset of the panel discussion, Ambassador Kano reviewed Japan's past support for SIDS countries in areas such as oceanography and culture, in addition to disaster risk reduction. He also expressed support for UNESCO's Accelerator Programs for SIDS and shared expectations for the future.
The panel discussion also featured presentation by a SIDS country on an evacuation case after a volcanic eruption in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. It fostered extensive and lively discussions on topics including UNESCO's strengths in disaster risk reduction leveraging scientific expertise, the importance of fostering disaster awareness at the community level, the significance of engaging diverse stakeholders and intersectoral cooperation, and the critical need for support tailored to the specific characteristics of SIDS.
Speech by Ambassador Kano (PDF)