16 March 2009: The Workshop on Integrating Practices, Tools and Systems for Climate Risk Assessment and Management and Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies into National Policies and Programmes convened from 10-12 March 2009, in Havana, Cuba. The workshop took place under the aegis of the Nairobi Work Programme on Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change, which was established in 2006 under the UNFCCC. The event was held in collaboration with the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and brought together approximately 80 participants, representing governments, UN agencies and constituted bodies, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

The meeting aimed to identify successful examples of using tools and integrating climate risk assessment and management and disaster risk reduction into national policies and programmes. After an introductory session, participants engaged in a plenary session on available tools and experiences from current practices for facilitating integration, followed by one on integration of climate risk assessment/management and disaster risk reduction into national policies and programmes. During the latter, participants met in three break-out groups on: climate-related hazards; sectoral approaches; and activities at various levels of government. On the last day of the workshop, participants considered recommendations and suggestions made in these breakout sessions regarding climate-related hazards, sectoral and national level planning, and considered next steps for working together. The report of the workshop will be presented to the thirtieth session of the UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, which will take place from 1-12 June 2009, for its consideration. [IISDRS COVERAGE] [WORKSHOP WEBSITE]