The Islamic Republic of Iran, as the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group, hosted a webinar on the “Establishment of a Resilient Framework for Mitigation and Capacity Building of Extreme Environmental Disasters in the IORA Region” on 13 May 2025. The event brought together representatives from the IORA Secretariat, Member States, Dialogue Partners, scientific institutions, and experts, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and regional collaboration on disaster management.
The webinar addressed the diverse environmental challenges faced by the IORA region, home to over 2.7 billion people across 23 member states and 12 observers. Discussions focused on natural hazards including earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, floods, landslides, droughts, and coastal degradation, with emphasis on understanding oceanography, climate impacts, and advanced monitoring tools such as satellite imagery, geospatial data, and early warning systems.
Key sessions highlighted the establishment of an IORA Disaster Management Academic Network, promoting collaboration among universities, research institutions, and centers of excellence. Participants explored capacity-building initiatives, including webinars, seminars, and training programs, as well as public awareness strategies for disaster preparedness, response, and early warning. The webinar also encouraged mobility programs for students and researchers, fostering long-term cooperation and knowledge exchange across member states and observers.
Outcomes of the event included enhanced understanding of collaborative disaster management approaches, identification of research gaps, strengthened skills in scientific assessment, and improved regional networking. Experts agreed on the need for structured knowledge-sharing mechanisms, real-time data analysis, and capacity-building programs tailored to the region’s specific needs.
The webinar reinforced IORA’s commitment to regional cooperation, sustainable development, and disaster resilience. By fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and promoting capacity building, the event contributed to more resilient communities, stronger regional networks, and informed strategies for mitigating the impact of extreme environmental disasters in the Indian Ocean region.
