Bangkok, Thailand – The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) successfully hosted the 5^th Brian Ward Memorial Lecture, honoring the extraordinary legacy of Col. Brian Ward, the founding director of ADPC whose vision and dedication were instrumental in establishing ADPC in 1986 and advancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate resilience (CR) across the Asia-Pacific region. The Lecture was held during the 18th Meeting of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC), co-hosted by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Ministry of Interior of the Royal Thai Government in Bangkok, Thailand.

Col. Brian Ward led ADPC as its Director from 1986 to 1992. During his tenure, his exceptional contributions to technical advisory missions profoundly influenced disaster resilience efforts in the region. He motivated professionals and government authorities to actively engage in reducing disaster risks, leaving a lasting legacy.

The Brian Ward Memorial Lecture celebrates his vision of a safer and more sustainable Asia and the Pacific region and recognizes his outstanding contributions to the field. Distinguished speakers are invited to share their insights and experiences, fostering innovative resilience-building initiatives and advancing sustainable development goals.

This year’s keynote speaker, Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha, Global Water Director, World Bank, presented “A Water Secure Future: Pathways to Resilience and Risk Reduction.” Drawing upon his expertise in global water resource management and disaster preparedness, Mr. Jha shared valuable perspectives on enhancing resilience and minimizing vulnerabilities, emphasizing proactive approaches to integrate resilience-building into sustainable development strategies.

“A disaster-resilient world begins with water security, and organizations like ADPC play a vital role in fostering collaboration and innovation to address this challenge. With nine out of ten disasters being water-related, ensuring sustainable water management is essential to building resilience, protecting lives, and achieving sustainable development,” emphasized Saroj Kumar Jha, Global Water Director, World Bank.

Through its partnership with the World Bank Group (WBG), ADPC continues to strengthen resilience efforts across Asia and the Pacific region. With the WBG’s extensive expertise, this collaboration has a critical role in advancing disaster risk reduction initiatives and achieving sustainable development objectives. Together, ADPC and the WBG aim to bolster anticipatory measures that reduce disaster impacts and promote long-term resilience.

“The Brian Ward Memorial Lecture embodies the legacy of a visionary leader whose dedication laid the foundation for disaster resilience in Asia and the Pacific. This year’s lecture reinforces the critical role of collaborative partnerships, like those with the World Bank, in addressing the region’s most pressing challenges. Together, we must innovate, integrate, and act decisively to build a future where communities are not only prepared for disasters but equipped to adapt and emerge stronger. Let us honor Col. Ward's vision by embracing resilience as the cornerstone of sustainable development,” underlined Aslam Perwaiz, Executive Director of ADPC.

The event brought together government authorities, development practitioners, academics, and young professionals to honor Col. Ward’s legacy and build on his vision. It served as a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and exchanging ideas, reinforcing ADPC and the WBG’s shared commitment to reducing disaster risks and promoting sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific region.

Key takeaways from the 5th Brian Ward Memorial Lecture by Mr. Saroj Jha, World Bank:

1. The Importance of Water Security for Disaster Resilience:
   
   Water security is foundational for disaster risk reduction, with nine out of ten disasters being water-related. Achieving resilience requires addressing water-related challenges such as access, availability, and management to build a disaster-resilient world.

2. The Impact of Climate Change on Hydrological Systems:
   Climate change has significantly disrupted hydrological cycles, leading to challenges such as altered river flow patterns, prolonged droughts, and more frequent floods. These changes demand adaptive and "fit-for-purpose" infrastructure and governance models.

3. The Role of Governance and Transboundary Cooperation:
   Strong governance, legal frameworks, and international cooperation are essential for effective water management, especially for transboundary river basins. He called for increased dialogue and collaboration across countries, communities, and sectors to ensure equitable and sustainable water use.

4. Private Sector Participation and Knowledge Building:
   Private sector investment is essential in water management systems and infrastructure to address financing gaps. Additionally, there is a critical need for capacity-building programs and knowledge-sharing platforms to equip policymakers, practitioners, and communities with the tools and expertise required for water security and resilience.

The 5th Brian Ward Memorial Lecture concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration and innovative solutions to address water security challenges. As the event highlighted, building resilience in the face of climate change requires a collective effort informed by data, community engagement, and policy leadership. The insights shared during the Lecture underscore the importance of sustainable water management in ensuring a resilient future. With gratitude to the distinguished speakers and attendees, the Brian Ward Memorial Lecture serves as a reminder of the urgent need to reduce disaster risks and build resilience.

Background
The Brian Ward Memorial Lecture is a series of lectures held annually to honor the memory of Brian Ward for his vision of a safer Asia and the Pacific, as well as his outstanding personal dedication and commitment to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. The lecture features distinguished guests who share their experiences on emerging issues and anticipatory actions for disaster and climate resilience. It also implores them to contribute advice for the future of the field in Asia and the Pacific.

About ADPC
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization for cooperation in and implementation of disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Since its establishment in 1986, ADPC has been at the forefront of disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and capacity-building efforts in the region.

About the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group works in every major area of development globally with a mission of ending extreme poverty andboosting shared prosperity on a livable planet. It provides a wide array of financial products and technical assistance and helps countries share and apply innovative knowledge and solutions to tackle today’s intertwined development challenges.