Twelfth Meeting of HELP

November 27 and 28, 2018,
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan

 The Twelfth Meeting of the High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP) was held on 27 to 28 November 2018 at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting was co-hosted by HELP and GRIPS, chaired by Dr. Han, Seung-soo, Chair of HELP, and was attended by about 54 participants from HELP member organizations representing national governments, international organizations, academia, civil society and private sectors.

Tuesday, November 27th
09:00 – 10:30: Opening

  • Opening Remarks by Dr. Han, Seung-soo, Chair of HELP
  • Introduction of Special Guest, His Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, former President of East Timor and Nobel Peace laureate
  • Membership and Appointment of Vice Chairs
  • Remarks by H.E. Dr. Ir. M. Basoeki Hadimoeljono, MSc., Minister for Public Works and Housing, Indonesia
  • Remarks by H.E. Hon. Patrick Eyogo Edzang, Minister of Water and Energy, Gabon and President of the African Ministerial Council on Water (AMCOW)
  • Remarks by H.E. Mr. Michio Kikuchi, Vice Minister for Engineering Affairs, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan
  • Remarks by Dr. Bambang Susantono, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Remarks by Ms. Kirsi Madi, Director of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) on behalf of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Remarks by Prof. Benedito Braga, President of the World Water Council (WWC)
  • Remarks by Dr. Letitia Obeng, Patron of the Global Water Partnership (GWP)
  • Presentation by Mr. Marcos Bonturi, Director of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

 

10:30 – 12:00: Plenary Discussion

  • Focused discussion on Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami in September 2018 – How HELP can contribute to “Build Back Better” of Sulawesi –
  • Discussion on HELP Flagship Actions
  • Discussion on the 4th UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters
  • Report on the outcomes of the Regional Ministerial Conference on DRR, High Level Political Forum, World Water Week, and discussion on linkage with major process such as post-Paris, post-Sendai, and HLPF processes
  • Discussion on realizing HLPW recommendations
  • Briefing and preparation for International Symposium in the afternoon

12:00 – 13:00: Group photo and Lunch

13:30 – 16:30: International Symposium on Water and Disasters

 

Wednesday, November 28th

09:00 – 11:30: Breakout Sessions

09:00 – 10:15: Breakout Sessions I

  • Breakout session 1: The Principle on Financing and Investment in Water-related DRR

Chair: H.E. Michio Kikuchi, MLIT of Japan (Moderator: Mr. Okada, MLIT of Japan)

  • Breakout Session 2: Climate Change Adaptation

Chair and moderator: Prof. Kenzo Hiroki

10:15 – 10:30: Break

10:30 – 11:30: Breakout Sessions II

  • Breakout session 3: Alliance of Alliances on DRR Researches

Co-Chair and moderators: Prof. Toshio Koike, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHARM), and Prof. Gretchen Kalonji, Sichuan University

  • Breakout Session 4: HELP Flagship Documents

Chair and moderator: Prof. Kenzo Hiroki

11:30 – 12:50: Plenary Discussion

  • Report by Breakout Session Chairs
  • Discussion about the outcomes of the Breakout Sessions

12:50 – 12:55: Other Business

  • Report by Breakout Session Chairs
  • Other business including HELP 13 and wrap up by Chair

12:55 – 13:00: Wrap-Up and Closing

  • Closing Remarks by Dr. Han Seung-soo

 

Together with the first part of the 12th HELP Meeting, the International Symposium on Water and Disasters -Learning from Historical Lessons and Good Practices- was organized by HELP, GRIPS and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (“MLIT”) on 27 November 2018.

With the presence of H.I.H. the Crown Prince of Japan , the Symposium was concluded successfully with over 270 registered participants and more than 10 press coverages, including 54 participants from the HELP member organizations, representing national governments, international organizations, academia, civil society and private sectors and 46 participants from 38 Embassies to Japan.

12HELP集合写真（GRIPS提供）