Pakistan to host UN conference on space technology for disaster warnings, climate action: SUPARCO

Pakistan will host a five-day United Nations–Pakistan international conference in Islamabad from October 27 to 31 to explore how space technology can strengthen early warning systems, improve disaster risk assessment and support climate action, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said on Thursday.

The United Nations–Pakistan International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment will be held at the Serena Hotel. It is expected to bring together 200 to 250 participants, including 60 to 70 international delegates and around 150 national participants.

“The conference aims to advance the use of space-based technologies, satellite observations and geospatial data to strengthen early warning systems, improve disaster risk assessment, and support climate action,” according to an official release.

The conference is being co-sponsored by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), through its UN-SPIDER programme, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO) and the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET), it said.

It will bring together experts, policymakers, diplomats, educators, researchers, United Nations agencies, development organisations and representatives of the space industry to promote international cooperation, knowledge exchange and technical dialogue, it added.

A key focus will be the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which seeks to protect communities and critical infrastructure from climate-related disasters through effective early warning systems, according to the handout, the statement further said.

Discussions will also cover the use of space technology in disaster risk reduction, climate-resilient development and the monitoring of water resources, agriculture, forests and environmental change. The programme will feature leadership dialogues, technical sessions, expert panels and presentations on disaster risk assessment, climate intelligence, geospatial technologies and emerging tools such as GeoAI, it added.

“Participants will examine practical approaches to shifting disaster management from reactive responses towards proactive risk assessment, preparedness and early action,” the statement said. The conference will also highlight the contributions of young researchers and youth-led initiatives to climate research and innovation.

Discussions will align with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action, with the aim of translating international commitments into practical outcomes at the national and regional levels.

For Pakistan, the conference is expected to strengthen national capacity to use satellite-based and geospatial information for early warning, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction, the handout stated.

“Enhanced technical capabilities in assessing flood, drought and heatwave risks can contribute to more informed decision-making, improved preparedness and better protection of vulnerable communities,” it added. The event also aims to promote institutional cooperation, technical capacity-building and the practical use of satellite-derived information in disaster management and climate-related planning.

The conference will conclude on October 31 with a closing ceremony and a technical visit to the National Disaster Management Authority, where participants will have an opportunity to examine Pakistan’s disaster management systems and the operational use of geospatial data, satellite monitoring and early warning tools.

“Through this international gathering, Pakistan aims to strengthen partnerships and advance the effective use of space technology to build a safer, more climate-resilient and disaster-prepared future,” the statement concluded.