This session was the first of three technical sessions to explore risk knowledge in the Pacific in more detail. We will hear from government departments and regional experts who summarized the current availability of risk information in the Pacific. They presented examples of how risk insights have been generated via risk assessments and what skills are needed and highlighted ongoing/near-future projects expected to add to current knowledge. Discussed in the event were the most valuable aspects of existing information and identifying remaining data gaps, with the stretch goal of prioritizing data gaps to address in the coming years.

Peer Learning Session 1: Innovations in Pacific Disaster Risk Knowledge

This session was the first of three technical sessions to explore risk knowledge in the Pacific in more detail. Government departments and regional experts summarized the current availability of risk information in the Pacific. They presented examples of how risk insights have been generated via risk assessments and what skills are needed and highlighted ongoing/near-future projects expected to add to current knowledge. This session discussed the most valuable aspects of existing information and identify remaining data gaps, with the stretch goal of prioritizing data gaps to address in the coming years.

Peer Learning Session 2: Applying Risk Insights in Resilient Development and Adaptation Planning

This session highlighted previous event knowledge of what risk information is available in the region, and look at how those insights are applied in practice – in planning upstream development and related multi-sectoral budgeting, adaptation planning, recovery planning, and investment in resilient infrastructure and systems. The session explored contexts in which multi-sector modelling is preferable to sector-specific focus, learning from finance ministers, planners (in integrated and sector planning), public asset operators, emergency managers, and civil society from Pacific Island Countries, as well as regional experts in the topic.

Peer Learning Session 3: Collaborating to Develop Risk Information Including Community Perspectives

This session discussed a better-shared understanding of the value of collaborating to develop risk information to improve the relevance of insights being developed by learning from local expert perspectives. This understanding covered the importance of in-country experts engaging and inclusion of perspectives from local communities and civil society groups, on hazards, assets, and vulnerability in risk assessment projects to improve the relevance and impact of risk information for decision-making. The session speakers discussed the challenges and opportunities for bringing community perspectives into risk assessment to inform and facilitate the participation of civil society actors to later also engage in succession planning and adaptation.