On December 12, 2022, the Sixth International Workshop for Disaster Risk Reduction Knowledge Service was successfully co-held by the International Knowledge Centre for Engineering Sciences and Technology under the Auspices of UNESCO (IKCEST) and UNESCO DRR Section, with the theme of Open Science and Disaster Risk Reduction Action. International organizations and programmes, research institutes and universities and stakeholders including IRDR, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of CAS, China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences, National Earth System Science Data Center of China attended this workshop and shared views and insights on open science and open DRR data.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Shahbaz KHAN, Director of UNESCO Beijing Office, expressed his appreciation for the productive work accomplished by IKCEST, and highlighted the importance of open science for DRR. Mr. TIAN Qi, Executive Deputy Director of IKCEST, referred to IKCSET’s work in terms of capacity building for the decision makers from developing countries, datasets development for open science infrastructure promotion, as well as knowledge applications and solutions. He also mentioned some prioritized tasks for IKCEST’s platform including integrating fragmented scientific and policy environment and developing more practical, transparent and collaborative science practices. In the first session, the progress of IKCEST and its effort in Open Science Actions was reported through three comprehensive presentations provided by Dr. LIU Chang, Secretary General of IKCEST, Prof. WANG Juanle and Prof. BU Kun, who are in charge of DRR platform of IKCEST.

The second session was made for Panel Discussion on how Open Science has been promoted in respective DRR organizations and institutions. The discussion was moderated by Prof. HAN Qunli, Executive Director of IRDR-IPO. Dr. Ana PERSIC, UNESCO Programme Specialist outlined the overall challenges in pursuing open science development, which applies also to DRR. Prof TANG Xu, Executive Director of IRDR ICoE-RIG-WECEIPHE and Ms. LIAN Fang, Science Officer of IRDR IPO both intervened in the Panel Discussion and provided their perspectives regarding IRDR’s future actions for open science in DRR. The other seven panelists presented the efforts from their affiliation.

The third session focused on DRR Field Applications for Open Data. The researchers introduced their empirical studies on how open data has been utilized to promote disaster risks prediction, public sector’s capacities building in response to disasters, and approaches development for post-disaster settlement and sustainable development.

The workshop brought together over 90 experts online and the presentations and discussions were also broadcasted in social media.