Update

28 experts in Disaster Risk Information Management from the Civil Protection Authorities of 14 Mediterranean and Balkan countries will meet from 10 to 13 May in Rome to learn how to use and further develop the PPRD South Risk Atlas. More on geographic information systems at the Global Platform...

'Disaster prevention can be considered as the most important development issue' said Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda at an annual meeting held by the Asian Development Bank. 'The Asia-Pacific region is particularly prone to natural disasters,' he added. Japan is among the countries attending the Global Platform next week...

A series of natural catastrophes have had a strong impact on the first quarter earnings of reinsurer Swiss Re and insurance giant Zurich Financial Services, reports swissinfo. More on risk financing and insurance at the Global Platform...

'Respecting traditional methods of adaptation is one way of achieving such a goal,' said David Hughes, communications and networking officer at the Future Agriculture Consortium working to influence policy on agriculture. More on indigenous knowledge and climate change adaptation at the Global Platform...

'Although the tourism industry has proven its resilience over time, climate change adaptation is not an option for the Caribbean - it is a matter of socio-economic sustainability' says Gail Henry of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation. Learn more about the Caribbean approach to climate change adaptation at the Global Platform...

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has released a study that lays out a comprehensive framework for assessing the risks of climate change on port operations and options for adapting to the risks. More on risk assessment at the Global Platform...

The 'Threatened Island Nations: Legal Implications Of Rising Seas and A Changing Climate' conference is is hoped will gather international researchers from around the world, to discuss potential solutions for the long-term risks posed by sea-level rise. More on climate change adaptation at the Global Platform...

During the recent spate of tornadoes, meteorologists broadcasted to thousands of online viewers, using sophisticated radar technology to spot funnel clouds, writes Charlie White, highlighting that the use of social media also helped to spread the word and potentially save lives...

The Uganda Department of Meteorology, Ericsson, MTN, Lake Rescue and the WMO are piloting an SMS service called 'Mobile Weather Alert' which uses mobile technology to provide forecasts of severe weather and improve safety for fishermen on Lake Victoria. Learn more about early warning at the Global Platform...

'Global sea-level is projected to rise by 0.9 to 1.6 meters by 2100 and the loss of ice from Arctic glaciers, ice caps and the Greenland ice sheet will make a substantial contribution' warns a new a report overseen by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, reports Reuters. More on sea-level rise at the Global Platform...