The main focus of the seminar was on common challenges related to climatic changes, floods, landslide hazards, preparedness and local response. Being part of an overall partnership between China and Norway, the seminar aims to pave the way for future cooperation in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction.
Mr. Li Liguo, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, China and Mr. Espen Barth Eide, Deputy Minister of Defence, Norway opened the seminar. In their opening speeches, Mr. Li and Mr. Barth Eide emphasised the respective governments’ commitment to Disaster Risk Reduction. In recognition of the increased threats from natural disasters caused by a changing climate, both China and Norway are taking measures to strengthen the risk reduction policies, and acknowledge the importance of international cooperation in the field. The Norwegian policy on the prevention of humanitarian crises has been outlined in a whitepaper to the Parliament issued last December.
The seminar brought together experts from various governmental or semi-governmental agencies in the two countries, as well as international organisations like The World Bank, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), and the Red Cross Societies in China and Norway.
Mr. Bjørn Johannessen, Senior Adviser in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responsible for the project on the Norwegian side, pointed out that even though the natural catastrophes striking China far exceed those in Norway, both countries have important experiences and important technical expertise to share. Using floods, landslides and the recent snow disaster in China as examples, the speakers discussed the various challenges, failures and achievements, and how to reduce the devastating consequences of natural disasters.
Throughout the two days of the seminar, several ideas for possible future collaboration projects were launched and discussed. At the conclusion of the event, both sides emphasised the importance of international cooperation to minimise the consequences of natural disasters, and agreed that the seminar had provided an important platform for future cooperation and exchanges in the field.
More:
Seminar Agenda.pdf
Norwegian policy on the prevention of humanitarian crises.pdf