Dear IRDR Community Members, Colleagues and Friends,
As the end of 2025 draws near, we are taking the time to reflect on a very productive year in which partnerships and joint initiatives with other disaster risk reduction (DRR) related institutions and networks were created, and the IRDR community of researchers and practitioners was enhanced and strengthened to mobilise science for the reduction of all types of disaster risks.
2025 Highlights
During the year we actively pursued the implementation of the IRDR Action Plan, 2025-2027, undertaking specific activities as per the four clusters of action, namely:
· enabling the full operation of IRDR Phase II;
· coordinating and facilitating international research cooperation;
· knowledge production and outreach; and
· empowering young DRR professionals.
Among the many achievements this year, we are particularly proud to have:
· Convened the 28th meeting of the IRDR Scientific Committee (SC28), the second for the current cohort of SC members, during which the members recommitted themselves to the IRDR Action Plan and their respective roles in propelling the programme forward. The SC members also unanimously agreed that IRDR must play an integral role in accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015-2030.
· Increased the staff complement of the International Programme Office (IPO) thereby enhancing the ability of the Secretariat to operationalise the Action Plan. We also welcomed several interns aboard to assist with the administration and communication functions of the IPO.
· Retained the 14 rostered IRDR International Centres of Excellence (IRDR ICoEs) after a comprehensive review process.
· Participated in the 8th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), held during the period 2-6 June 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
· Contributed to the development of the 2025 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR2025) via an advisory capacity and providing case studies.
· Welcomed 15 new IRDR Young Scientists to the network.
· Facilitated a high-level roundtable meeting titled “Enabling an All-of-Society Engagement to Accelerate the Implementation of the Sendai Framework”, with the United Nation’s (UN’s) Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
· Welcomed the UN's SRSG for DRR to the IPO during which IRDR reiterated its commitment for closer collaboration and partnership with UNDRR, and to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework by promoting the effective use of risk science in decision-making.
Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond
As we enter 2026, IRDR is prepared to become integrally involved in different types of science-policy engagements towards setting the post 2030 agenda.
On behalf of IRDR, we wish you and your various networks all the best for the season, and we look forward to your continued engagement with the IRDR community in the new year.
