The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), in partnership with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), organized a side event at UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, titled “Empowering Resilience: Innovative Strategies for Drought Risk Management and Mitigation” on 10 December 2024 from 09:00 to 10:30 hours. This session discussed the importance of integration of governance frameworks, policy development, and practical tools to address drought's multifaceted challenges. The countries in South Asia shared their experience on drought risk management in highlighting the gaps and needs as well as challenges and opportunities to address them in a coherent manner. A few case studies on drought risk management from South Asian countries also presented to showcase successful governance strategies and best practices in mitigating drought risks.

The launch of Strategy:

The Regional Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Strategy for South Asia, which was developed by ADPC and UNCCD, in consultations with South Asia countries, launched during this side event. H E Ameer Ajwad, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Daniel Tsegai, Program Officer, UNCCD, senior government officials from Bhutan, India, Nepal Pakistan and Sri Lanka and representatives from UNCCD, GWP/WMO, FAO, IUCN, etc. also attended the launching event.

The panel Discussion:

Dr. Valentin Aich, Senior Water and Climate Specialist, GWP/WMO presented challenges and Opportunities in implementing Drought Risk Management Strategies in countries, which set the scene for the panel discussion, which was centered on drought risk management in countries in South Asia. The Panelists from Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, namely, Dr. K.C. Rajendra, Director General, Forest Research and Training Centre, Nepal, Ms. Nilmini Wickramarachchi, Director (Natural Resources Management), Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka and Mr. Suraj Chhetri, Specialist, Department of Agriculture, Bhutan respectively, shared their experiences on drought risk management in their countries through case studies. They also discussed how the existing national drought plans and strategies could further improve with the guidance from the Regional Drought Risk Management strategy, which was launched at this event.

Dr. Eva Pek, Land and Water Officer, FAO discussed how countries could strengthen their institutional coordination mechanisms to improve drought management, she also discussed how countries could develop regulatory frameworks for securing drought finance for managing droughts. Mr. Pragyan Raj Pokhrel, Senior Programme Officer, IUCN discussed how private sector investment support nature-positive and people-centered approaches to drought risk management, and how it aligns with COP16's call to enhance ambition and investment in transforming degradation into restoration. He further shared his views on how Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can be applied to restore ecosystems and reduce drought risks in countries.

Dr. Senaka Basnayake, Program Lead, Climate Services of ADPC moderated the panel discussion while Ms. Dulanji Herath, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, facilitated the inaugural and launching sessions of the Regional Drought Strategy for South Asia.

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