Have we reached the tipping point? As governments, corporations, and the public at-large continue to debate the effects of climate change and other severe events, communities cannot afford to stand-by and simply respond to the disasters. The events of Hurricane Katrina and Super-storm Sandy have proved we must now work to “prepare for”, not simply “respond to” disasters.

The R!SE Initiative is an ambitious global response to a daunting global challenge. It is a new way of collaborating, on a global scale, to unlock the potential for public and private sector actors who are ready and willing to take leadership on disaster risk reduction.

In collaboration with PwC, R!SE is a multi-stakeholder, global initiative operating under the umbrella of the United Nations – mobilizing businesses, public sector, academia, civil society, insurance industry and investors to make investments risk-sensitive and to create risk-resilient societies.

This presentation will provide participants with an overview of R!SE Initiative, and will discuss tangible ways the public and private sector can collaborate to implement disaster risk reduction projects through 8 streams of activities:
• Strategies for global business
• Risk metrics for economic forecasting
• Industry sector certification
• Education
• Principles for responsible investing
• Resilience of cities
• Insurance
• Resilience of UN programming.

Lunch will be provided.