Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for Climate Disaster Risk Management
15 to 21 September 2022

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) invited project officers, consultants, and practitioners to attend the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Lecture and Clinic on 15 September and 21 September.

This activity aimed to mainstream NbS into ADB operations by raising awareness and strengthening the capacity of its project officers. The ADB’s Environment Thematic Group, Water Sector Group, Urban Sector Group, and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Thematic Group co-organized the activity. The NbS Lecture and Clinic were also part of the activities of the NbS Working Group.

Participants in this NBS Lecture and Clinic were expected to achieve three key benefits from participating.

  • Learn from NBS case studies and good practices in water-related investments.
  • Discover how NBS tools can be used in flood and drought risk management.
  • Improve project design skills using NBS and gray infrastructure on actual ADB pipeline projects.

1. NBS Lecture on 15 September at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Philippine Time / 8:00 am–10:00 am Netherlands Time via Zoom

Resource persons from Deltares and Witteveen&Bos presented the latest information on NBS and specific examples to address relevant development issues. The event focused on weather-related disaster risk management, such as flooding and drought. A panel discussion and an interactive Q&A session followed this.

2. NBS Clinic on 21 September at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Philippine Time / 8:00 am–10:00 am Netherlands Time via Zoom

This served as a venue for NBS experts to give project technical advice on improving project design by integrating NBS with traditional gray infrastructure. Resource persons discussed selected ADB pipeline projects with potential NBS components.

Program and Learning Materials
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Opening Moderator:
Isao Endo, Environment Specialist, Environment Thematic Group, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC), ADB
Opening Session Opening Remarks Qingfeng Zhang,
Chief, Rural Development & Food Security (Agriculture) Thematic Group and OIC Chief, SDTC-ENV, ADB
Lecture on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Flood and Drought Risk Management Natural river management: A science-based landscape approach for mainstreaming NBS
This presentation gives an overview of nature-based solutions and how it helps in natural river management referencing "Guidelines for Mainstreaming…
Bregje van Wesenbeeck
Lecture on Nature-based Solutions (NBS) for Flood and Drought Risk Management Building with Nature in Coasts and Rivers: Promising NBS Case Studies
This gives an overview of nature-based solutions and suggested practical solutions. Building with nature in coasts and rivers: Promising NBS case…
Tom Wilms
Panel Discussion Panel Host:
Charles Rodgers, Senior Advisor (Consultant), Climate Change Adaptation, ADB

Geoffrey Wilson, Senior Water Resources Specialist, ADB

Stefan Rau, Senior Urban Development Specialist, ADB
Q&A and Open Discussion
Closing Remarks Lejla Vandic
Programme Coordinator, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
Webinar Recording of NBS Lecture Webinar Recording of NBS Lecture
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
Opening Moderator:
Isao Endo, Environment Specialist, Environment Thematic Group, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC), ADB
Welcome Remarks Qingfeng Zhang,
Chief, Rural Development & Food Security (Agriculture) Thematic Group and OIC Chief, SDTC-ENV, ADB
NBS Clinic for Flood and Drought Risk Management Armenia: Strengthening Environmental Resilience and Sustainable Economy for Lake Sevan Maria Pia Ancora, Senior Urban Development Specialist, Central and West Asia Department, ADB
NBS Clinic for Flood and Drought Risk Management Cambodia: Integrated Water Resources Management Project Ryutaro Takaku, Principal Water Resources Specialist, Southeast Asia Department, ADB
NBS Clinic for Flood and Drought Risk Management Designing, Building and Maintaining Infrastructure Projects with NBS Bregje van Wesenbeeck, Scientific Director, Deltares

Tom Wilms, Project Manager, Witteveen+Bos

Panel Host:
Charles Rodgers, Senior Advisor (Consultant), Climate Change Adaptation, ADB
Q&A and Open Discussion
Next Steps and Way Forward
Highlights and Closing of the NBS Clinic

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