The Tech Dividend: Leveraging Digital Technologies for Preparedness, Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks, 25 March 2025, Geneva, Switzerland

​​​​​​ 

Background

Organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and AT Scale Partnership, this event brought together humanitarian and development practitioners from private sector, international organizations, national and regional governmental entities to exchange lessons learned on how the power of digital technology can be leveraged for more efficient preparedness for response in an inclusive, accessible way.​​

Objectives

• Present opportunities, challenges and solutions to leverage the power of digital technologies for preparedness;
• Share best practices from private sector, research and development organizations, international, regional and national organizations that can inform and inspire the uptake of digital technological solutions for preparedness;
• Showcase digital technological solutions that are inclusive of all in preparedness, including for persons with disabilities and other under-represented groups by advocating for accessible technology;
  

Speakers​

• Ms Esmee van de Ridder, Programme Advisor, Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction and Surge Support (DRRS)
  
• Major Hamad Sabah Al Swar, Director, National Civil Protection Platform of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) of the Kingdom of Bahrain​
  
• Ms Elizabeth Bourke, UAS Project Manager, ​World Food Programme (WFP) Digital Engine for Emergency Photo-analysis (DEEP)
  
• Mr Sven Gilliams, Program Director & Ms Esther Makakbe, Capacity Building and Co-design Coordinator, Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM)
  
• Mr Barnaby Willitts-King, Research and Policy Director, Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation (M4H) Programme​
  
• Mr Martin Belanger, Head of Alerting, Pelmorex Corporation
  
• Ms Barbara Goedde, Strategy and Coordination Advisor, Global Partnership for Assistive Technology​
  
• Mr Alradi Abdalla, Inclusive Humanitarian Action & Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor, International Disability Alliance​​​​