Duryog Nivaran Hosts South Asia Regional Dialogue on Inclusive Governance for Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction

Duryog Nivaran (DN) recently hosted a high-level dialogue on “Inclusive Governance for Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction” at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, coinciding with its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and strategic planning sessions. The dialogue addressed the critical elements associated with inclusive risk governance, focusing on community resilience-building and identifying the role of governments and stakeholders in ensuring that no one is left behind in disaster and climate risk management efforts.

The event began with a keynote address by Major General Udaya Herath (Retd), Director General of the Disaster Management Center, Sri Lanka. In his speech, Mr. Herath emphasised the critical need for anticipatory planning across various sectors, highlighting that the impacts of extreme climate events are not uniform across regions or populations, and that at risk groups and areas are disproportionately affected. He further underscored the need for gender-sensitive approaches in DRR given that 60% of extreme climate events disproportionately impact women.

Dr. Buddika Hapuarachchi, Team Lead and Policy Specialist for the Climate and Environment Team at UNDP, delivered the featured address on “Exploring Risk Governance for Resilience Building.” Dr. Hapuarachchi noted that disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) have often been discussed in parallel emphasising the need for an integrated approach that addresses both issues simultaneously to effectively reduce risks and build resilience.

Distinguished Panel of Experts

The dialogue also featured a regional panel of experts and practitioners, all of whom shared their expertise and perspectives on inclusive governance for Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction. The panelists included:

• Ms. Hemanthi Goonasekera, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities
• Ms. Wathsala Jayamanna, Programme Officer for Emergency Response & Resilience at UNICEF
• Mr. Mihir R. Bhatt, Founding Member of Duryog Nivaran and Director of the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute

The discussion was expertly moderated by Mr. Achyut Luitel, the newly appointed Chairperson of Duryog Nivaran, who guided the panel through a deep dive into the critical issues that demand the attention of governments, regional bodies, and other key stakeholders.

One of the central themes of the discussion was the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to build resilient communities. The panelists emphasised the importance of engaging all sectors of society, particularly the at risk groups, in decision-making processes for disaster and climate risk reduction. From the lessons learned on the ground, it became clear that inclusive governance requires a concerted effort from national and local governments, as well as civil society and regional networks, to ensure that no community is disproportionately affected by disasters or climate impacts.

As the session concluded, the panelists and participants reiterated the need to bridge the gaps that still exist within disaster and climate risk governance systems. Some of these gaps include limited representation of marginalized groups in decision-making processes, access to disaggregated data and a lack of coordination between national, regional, and local actors. The dialogue also highlighted the need for capacity-building initiatives to empower local communities and stakeholders, equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to take an active role in resilience-building efforts.

The South Asia Regional Dialogue on Inclusive Governance for Disaster and Climate Risk Reduction provided an important opportunity for reflection, discussion, and collaboration among the region’s thought leaders and practitioners. By fostering these conversations and sharing experiences, Duryog Nivaran continues to advance its mission of promoting inclusive and effective disaster risk reduction across South Asia.

As the network moves forward, the outcomes of this dialogue will contribute to shaping policies, practices, and collaborations that ensure at risk communities are not left behind in the face of increasing disaster and climate risks. The insights gathered from the event will feed into DN’s broader strategy for creating a more resilient South Asia, where inclusive governance is at the core of risk reduction and mitigation efforts.