China: Launch of the 'Integrated Research on Disaster Risk' international research programme
ICSU announced that China will host the office of the new international programme, Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR). The International Programme Office for IRDR will be established in Beijing at the Headquarters of the Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth (CEODE) — the first time an international office of this type has been hosted in Asia.
The IRDR is a major new 10-year international research programme that aims to provide answers to the growing global problem of disasters and how countries can reduce the root causes of disaster risk. In a break from past approaches, it will combine diverse expertise and perspectives into one coordinated effort, drawing on the natural, socio-economic, health and engineering sciences.