ITU-D -FLASH • 2015 ITU FORUM EXPLORES THE ROLE OF ICTS IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION ITU held a multi-stakeholder forum at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on 15 March in Sendai, Japan, focusing on the use of ICTs for disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation. The event explored the critical role of information and communication technology in disaster risk reduction as well as policy, legal, technical, regulatory, and operational issues. It also provided a platform for the review of progress made in implementing the Hyogo Framework and for sharing views on lessons learnt. Discussions also revolved around the role of ICT in addressing disasters that could negatively impact the post-2015 development agenda. Mr Brahima Sanou said that “with over 7 billion mobile cellular subscriptions worldwide, almost 3 billion people connected to the internet and with 4.9 billion connected devices, the telecommunications and ICT sector can support disaster risk reduction efforts.” Panelists at the forum included Mr Ecweru Musa Francis, Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness & Refugees of Uganda; Mr Nicolas D. Ojeda Jr., Deputy Executive Director of the Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines and Mr. Ken Yamamoto, Secretary of the International Amateur Radio Union. The event was moderated by Mr. Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department, Project Support and Knowledge Management, in the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.Mr Yasuo Sakamoto, Vice Minister for Policy Coordination of Japan, spoke of Malawi floods (Credit: OCHA)