Recent years have seen an increase in recorded disasters, driven in particular by more frequent and severe weather-related events, prompting policymakers to intensify efforts to strengthen resilience. Disasters do not occur in a vacuum; they unfold in specific places, shaped by local geography, infrastructure, and social dynamics. As a result, resilience must be built locally – adapting to the vulnerabilities, resources and capacities of communities, cities and regions. When grounded in place, resilience strategies not only improve response to disasters, but also strengthen communities before, during, and after crises.
This conference marked the launch of the OECD Platform for Regional Disaster Resilience, a new global initiative to support peer learning and capacity building for place-based approaches to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The conference also provided a space to reflect on recent disaster experiences, notably the 2024 floods in Valencia, Spain.
The conference brought together policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders from different levels of government, the private sector and civil society to explore policies and practices that help regions and cities protect lives and livelihoods, support recovery, and rebuild more resiliently. An OECD Policy Perspectives informed discussions, followed by a summary report capturing key insights, international experiences, and priorities for the Platform’s future work.
Learn more about the conference: From crisis to recovery: Strengthening regional disaster resilience
