20 November: Urbanization, Transport and Tourism Day
9 am –10 am: Designing Resilient Futures: Climate-Induced Displacement and Integrated Urban Planning Solutions; (Organizer) UN Habitat.
10 am – 11.30 am: Shelter and Equity Roundtable: An Inclusive Dialogue on Housing Improvements; (Organizer) Build Change.
12 noon – 1 pm: Embracing complexity: comfort or danger zone? (Organizer) Anticipation Hub with CREWS - Climate Risk and Early Warning Initiative.
1.30 pm – 2.30pm: Bridging the Gap: How the Global Shield Elevates Country and Community Leadership in Climate Resilience; (Organizer) Global Shield against Climate Risks.
3.00 pm – 4.00 pm: From mitigation to recovery – The unique and interconnected role of climate, development, and humanitarian actors in the crisis continuum; (Organizer) Start Network.
4.30 pm – 5.30 pm: GNDR: Anticipatory Action to avert, mitigate, and address Climate-related Loss and Damage; (Organizer) Global Network of Civil Society Organization for Disaster Reduction
Designing Resilient Futures – Climate-induced Displacement and Integrated Urban Planning Solutions for Sustainable Development
Organizer: UN-Habitat
By Irakli Manali
The session, led by Jia Cong Ang, Programme Management Officer at UN-Habitat, explored innovative approaches to addressing climate-induced displacement through integrated urban planning and nature-based solutions (NbS). With climate change increasingly driving forced migration, the event emphasized the need for strategic planning that considers the interconnected challenges of displacement, environmental degradation, and sustainable development.
Drawing from the recently launched publication Designing for Displacement: A Spatial Guide for Planning Along Seasonal Rivers in Drylands, the session showcased insights from field research and practical applications in East Africa. Key examples included floodwater harvesting techniques, sustainable land management, and spatial designs that integrate ecological restoration with socio-economic opportunities. These strategies have proven effective in enhancing resilience and self-reliance in fragile ecosystems, particularly for communities living along intermittent rivers.
The session delved into how NbS can address both the immediate and long-term needs of displaced populations. Solutions such as sand dam orchards, floodable infrastructure, and agroforestry not only support environmental restoration but also provide sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable populations. The guide serves as a repository of adaptable strategies for practitioners, governments, and stakeholders, aimed at accelerating planning processes and creating resilient human settlements.
Jia Cong Ang highlighted the critical role of partnerships in advancing these approaches, calling for collaboration between policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders. The session emphasized the importance of linking urban and rural systems, fostering local capacity, and integrating climate adaptation into urban planning frameworks.
Closing remarks underscored the transformative potential of these strategies to create resilient futures for displaced populations and their hosts. Participants were encouraged to leverage the insights shared to scale solutions globally, ensuring that those most affected by climate change are supported with sustainable, context-specific interventions.
Shelter and Equity: An Inclusive Dialogue on Disasters and Housing Improvements
Organizer: Build Change
By Hafiz Kalandarov
A critical discussion on shelter and equity unfolded at the Humanitarian Hub organized by Build Change, delved into the intersection of global disasters, climate hazards, and their disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities, with a focus on post-disaster shelter and housing recovery.
The dialogue underscored how disasters often magnified existing inequities, leaving historically disenfranchised populations more vulnerable due to systemic barriers such as poverty and limited access to resources. These groups faced slower recovery times, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient financial support, exacerbating their struggles to rebuild after displacement and forcing them into unsafe housing situations.
Without equity-focused approaches, the participants emphasized, recovery efforts risked entrenching inequalities rather than fostering resilience and social justice. The session highlighted the importance of integrating equity into transitional shelter and housing reconstruction to ensure fair access to safe and stable housing for all, especially the most vulnerable. Panelists explored tangible, on-the ground solutions that advance equity, such as the development of “living labs” and community savings solutions to advance resilience, and recent research published by Cities Alliance shed light on the ineffectiveness of climate funding to reach the urban poor.
A significant concern raised during the session was the predominance of top-down approaches in post-disaster housing, where governments often decide on housing designs that may overlook community needs and fail to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices. In her keynote address, Ms. Aishath Safoora, the Maldives State Minister of Defense, advocated for a shift towards bottom-up approaches. She highlighted how empowering communities to actively participate in the planning and design of their homes could lead to better-quality housing and improved living standards. She called on the international community to continue providing financial and technical support to small island developing states which are disproportionately affected by climate change.
The event brought together prominent speakers, including Monica Schroeder, Director of Global Advocacy at Build Change, who moderated the session. Panelists included Julie Greenwalt, Senior Climate Advisor at Cities Alliance; Siraz Hirani, Senior Programme Management Specialist at Mahila Housing Trust, and Astou Mbengue from the Senegalese Federation of Slumdwellers.
Through interactive discussions, participants explored innovative strategies, shared best practices, and identified actionable solutions aimed at achieving equitable housing recovery in disaster-stricken areas. The session provided a platform to advance dialogue on building resilience and promoting social equity in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
Embracing Complexity: Comfort or Magic Zone?
Organizer: Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, CREWS, Anticipation Hub
By Irakli Manali
Hosted by the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, CREWS, and the Anticipation Hub, the session Embracing Complexity: Comfort or Magic Zone? offered a thought-provoking exploration into the challenges of navigating interconnected crises, including climate change, conflict, economic shocks, and natural hazards. It invited participants to step out of their "comfort zones" and into the "magic zone" where transformative solutions emerge, albeit with perceived risks.
Catalina Jaime, Head of Climate and Conflict at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, opened the session by framing the discussion on risk complexity. She emphasized that effective climate action must address multi-layered crises, requiring holistic approaches that integrate socio-economic, environmental, and systemic perspectives.
A tribute video featuring Regie Gibson, honoring the legacy of Pablo Suarez, set a reflective tone. The video underscored the importance of embracing complexity and creativity in addressing global challenges.
Erica Allis, from CREWS, delivered a keynote on integrating Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) considerations into strategic processes. She highlighted CREWS’ initiatives in fragile settings, showcasing how anticipatory action and multi-hazard early warning systems can address overlapping risks.
Lucretia Puentes, Director of Network and Funds at the Start Network, shared examples of FCV-focused projects and reflected on how adaptive approaches have supported communities in complex risk environments. Her insights underscored the importance of localized solutions and innovative funding models.
In a virtual intervention, Kate Raworth, Director of the Doughnut Economic Action Lab, introduced the concept of rethinking economic systems to address climate crises and compound risks. Raworth’s remarks encouraged participants to embrace innovative, equity-focused frameworks like doughnut economics to drive resilience in fragile contexts.
An interactive "turn to your neighbor" exercise followed, allowing participants to share experiences from FCV contexts. This activity fostered dialogue on practical solutions, drawing insights from diverse global settings.
The session concluded with reflections from Nawar Abdulqader, IFRC Climate Change Champion from the Iraq Red Crescent, who shared on-the-ground experiences of addressing climate risks in conflict-affected regions. Participants were invited to share their solutions, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches in scaling resilience.
In closing, participants were urged to leave their "comfort zones" and take bold steps toward embracing complexity. The session emphasized that while navigating risk complexity may feel challenging, it is also where the most transformative and impactful solutions lie.
Bridging the Gap: How the Global Shield Elevates Country and Community Leadership in Climate Resilience
Organizer: Global Shield against Climate Risks.
By Hafiz Kalandarov
The event held at OCHA Humanitarian Hub spotlighted the Global Shield’s transformative role in climate and disaster risk financing and insurance (CDRFI) by prioritizing country-led, inclusive approaches tailored to the needs of vulnerable nations and communities.
The Global Shield, launched to address the fragmented DRF landscape, empowers governments to define their own DRF strategies while integrating the perspectives of civil society and vulnerable groups. Partnerships with organizations like the Start Network ensured grassroots voices inform governments priorities, while the Centre of Excellence on Gender-smart Solutions provided tools for gender-responsive and inclusive policies.
The session opened with remarks from Sebastian Lesch, Head of the Climate Policy Unit at BMZ, who highlighted the Global Shield’s potential to redefine DRF through inclusivity and collaboration. Astrid Zwick, Co-Director of the Global Shield Secretariat, elaborated on how gender analysis was conducted across Global Shield partner countries to identify the differentiated impacts of climate events in countries and guide the implementation of intersectional and gender-responsive policies. She emphasized the barriers women and marginalized groups face in accessing climate and disaster risk financing, stressing the importance of ensuring equitable access through tailored solutions.
Lucy Puentes, Director of Network and Funds at the Start Network, discussed the organization’s role in integrating civil society into the Global Shield framework, enhancing community participation and capacity in DRF processes.
A panel discussion moderated by Amit Kumar Garg brought insights from representatives of The Gambia, Fiji, CARE Madagascar, and CARE Bangladesh. Panelists shared experiences with the Global Shield’s In-Country Process, underscoring the importance of coordinated expertise and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
The session concluded with remarks from a representative of Amit Kumar Garg, who emphasized the Global Shield’s ability to serve as a model for supporting vulnerable nations, promoting inclusivity, and empowering countries to lead their DRF agendas.
This event highlighted the Global Shield’s achievements and lessons learned, demonstrating its capacity to serve as a blueprint for equitable and resilient CDRFI solutions. By strengthening donor and partner commitments, integrating civil society and gender perspectives, and empowering country leadership, the Global Shield set a new standard for inclusive approaches in the loss and damage community.
From Mitigation to Recovery – The Unique and Interconnected Role of Climate, Development, and Humanitarian Actors in the Crisis Continuum
Organizer: Start Network
By Irakli Manali
On 20 November 2024, the Start Network hosted a compelling session at COP29’s Humanitarian Hub, focusing on the interconnected roles of climate, development, and humanitarian actors in addressing the crisis continuum. The discussion highlighted how fragmented responses hinder aid delivery, underscoring the need for greater collaboration and coordination to meet the growing challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
Lucretia Puentes, Director of Programmes at Start Network, moderated the session and opened with key insights from the forthcoming report Anticipatory Action, Disaster Risk Finance, and Loss and Damage, commissioned by the Start Network. She set the tone by emphasizing the inefficiencies caused by sectoral silos and the critical role of adequate financing in enabling cohesive responses across mitigation, adaptation, and recovery efforts.
The session featured an expert panel comprising Mattias Soderberg, Global Climate Lead at DanChurchAid; Rajeev Kumar Jha, Director of Programs for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at Humanitarian Aid International; and Hari Krishna Nibanunpudi, Climate Change and Ageing Adviser at HelpAge International.
The discussion explored how these sectors could collaborate more effectively to ensure that communities facing the brunt of climate crises receive timely and coordinated support. Panelists emphasized that while their roles differ, their goals align—addressing immediate needs, building resilience, and enabling long-term recovery.
Mattias Soderberg highlighted how humanitarian responses often intersect with climate adaptation initiatives, calling for better integration to reduce duplication and optimize resource use. He cited examples from DanChurchAid’s projects, where joint planning with local governments has improved outcomes for disaster-affected communities.
Rajeev Kumar Jha shared insights into how disaster risk reduction programs in South Asia have bridged humanitarian and development gaps by integrating early warning systems with community-driven resilience measures. He stressed the importance of partnerships and knowledge-sharing to build cohesive responses.
Hari Krishna Nibanunpudi brought attention to the unique challenges faced by ageing populations in fragile settings, urging stakeholders to consider inclusive approaches that cater to the needs of all demographic groups. His reflections underscored the importance of aligning climate finance with the specific vulnerabilities of affected populations.
The discussion also delved into the critical role of financing. Panelists agreed that climate finance must be deployed strategically, addressing both immediate and long-term needs. The conversation explored how the Loss and Damage Fund could play a pivotal role in supporting integrated approaches, ensuring that financing aligns with the goals of humanitarian, development, and climate actors.
Audience members engaged with the panel during a dynamic Q&A session, asking how sectors could overcome operational barriers to foster collaboration. Panelists shared practical insights, emphasizing the need for shared frameworks and clear communication channels to enhance coordination.
In their closing remarks, the panelists reiterated the importance of breaking down silos between sectors, advocating for bold, joint action to address the escalating impacts of the climate crisis. They called on funders and policymakers to prioritize inclusive, cohesive strategies that amplify the impact of climate action while meeting the needs of the most vulnerable.
This session reinforced the necessity of interconnected approaches, inspiring participants to champion collaboration and integrated responses in their work. It highlighted the critical role of partnerships, financing, and shared knowledge in creating a more resilient and equitable future for communities on the frontlines of climate change.
GNDR: Anticipatory Action to avert, mitigate, and address Climate-related Loss and Damage
Organizer: Global Network of Civil Society Organization for Disaster Reduction (GNDR)
By Hafiz Kalandarov
This session engaged different actors in the reflection around the anticipatory action. It explored the existing gaps and the possible solutions to fill the gaps. The speakers emphasized the importance of inclusiveness in promoting anticipatory actions and the funding mechanism to meet shared objectives.
GNDR’s Africa Regional Lead and Climate Lead. Adessou Kossivi presented their Locally-led Anticipatory Action Guide and Toolkit . Anticipatory action is an approach leading a shift from reacting to hazards to acting ahead of them, by systematically linking early warnings to early action. Engaging in anticipatory action provides benefits in terms of improved mechanisms and institutional systems. Acting before the onset of a forecast hazard helps to protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people around the world. Acting before a hazard helps to build people’s resilience to future shocks and eases the pressure on strained humanitarian resources. Adessou shared two findings from the Locally-led Anticipatory Action Guide and Toolkit :
- Community-led early action approach empowers local structures and community groups to plan and implement their own early actions using microgrants and through the provision of resources or rapid skills upgrading.
- Community-led early action can be applied on its own to support community groups and local structures (i.e. community committees) to take autonomous action ahead of a forecast or predicted hazardous event, or a new spike in a crisis.
Dr. Blalogoe Parfait, highlighted that anticipatory actions could strengthen resilience, and it should be community-led. Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid, Bangladesh emphasized the importance of “comprehensive actions, capacity building and investments required for anticipatory actions”. Zakir Hossain, a GNDR member, mentioned the importance of “risk-informed development”. The last speaker, Christina Aebischer, Advisor, Climate Adaptation & Advocacy, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, shared that access to information is crucial.