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The 5th Asia-Pacific Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction, held from July 11-13, 2024, in Roorkee, India. The conference addressed the effectiveness of early warning systems, integration of local and Indigenous knowledge, and innovations for climate resilience. 

The role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in mitigating disaster-related losses and damages gained renewed emphasis as natural hazards were expected to increase. The biennial Asia-Pacific Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (APSTCDRR), which had been convening since 2016, centered on the pivotal role that STI played in disaster risk reduction. Each edition of the conference aimed to deepen the understanding of STI’s role in advancing the goals of the Sendai Framework and global commitments.

The conference consistently highlighted that STI not only significantly contributed to disaster risk reduction but also provided solutions for broader climate change challenges. By creating a space for dialogue among scientists, practitioners, and researchers, the conference fostered collaboration across disciplines. This dialogue helped translate complex scientific solutions into actionable policies that enhanced disaster resilience.

Past conferences focused on the progress and challenges related to the Sendai Framework, emphasizing how STI could address implementation hurdles. Recent editions shifted focus towards demonstrating the benefits of STI in strengthening various infrastructures, whether soft or hard interventions. The last conference specifically addressed the use of STI in managing compound, cascading, and systemic risks and improving risk governance through local-level analysis.

As the world learned from pandemic responses, the conference underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue. The 5th APSTCDRR, which took place from July 11-13, 2024, in Roorkee, India, spotlighted the role of early warning systems (EWS) in reducing disaster losses. The event reflected new momentum from advancements in technology during and after the COVID-19 era, recognizing the growing complexity of global risk landscapes and the new normal of climate extremes.