In his remarks to the Ad Hoc Expert Meeting on "Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: A Challenge for Global Ports," UNCTAD Deputy Secretary General stressed the importance of devising adequate adaptation strategies for ports, noting the particular challenges faced by small island developing States (SIDS) and least developing countries (LDCs) with low-lying coastal areas.
30 September 2011: Experts attending the Ad Hoc Expert Meeting on “Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: A Challenge for Global Ports,” organized by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), discussed strategies to adapt ports and transport systems in different parts of the world to the impacts of climate change.
The meeting aimed to improve the information base on adaptation related to the challenges faced by ports, including vulnerabilities and risks, adaptation requirements, best practices, information and data sources, and mechanisms for effective collaboration. It was attended by experts from the public and private sectors, including policy makers and planning authorities, port industry representatives and operators, port users, relevant international organizations, as well as scientists and engineers.
In his opening remarks, UNCTAD Deputy Secretary General Petko Draganov stressed the importance of devising adequate adaptation strategies for ports because of their strategic importance for world trade and their exposure to climate change risks, noting the particular challenges faced by small island developing States (SIDS) and least developing countries (LDCs) with low-lying coastal areas.
Presentations addressed, among other issues: threats to ports and other transport facilities; adaptation measures in ports; ship owners’ perspectives; climate risks and ports; extreme flood events and regional perspectives and case studies. The meeting took place from 29-30 September 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland. [UNCTAD Meeting Website] [Presentations]