The 18th IRDR Scientific Committee Meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan on Nov 20 and Nov 21.  It was hosted by ICSU and co-organized by IRDR IPO.  Science Council of Japan provided with the Venue. The Meeting was chaired by Dr Shuaib Lwasa, Chairperson of the IRDR Scientific Committee.

In the first day, Prof. Gordon McBean (president of ICSU), Ms. Irina Zodrow (head of Partnerships Unit, UNISDR), Ms. LIU Jie (Director of International Cooperation Office, RADI) and Mr. HAN Qunli (Executive Director of IRDR) provided update from the IRDR Co-sponsors，Host and IPO, respectively. The dialogue between Co-sponsors and SC members focused on the future of IRDR. Strategic plan, communication strategy, governance structure and the contribution of the IRDR Working Groups were focused at the meeting.

In the second day, IRDR NCs (China, Japan and Iran) and four IRDR’s ICoEs joined the meeting. They presented excellent regional and thematic activities including academic research, policy-making, young scientists training, etc.  The way to make more efficient collaboration of IRDR network was explored.  In another session, future collaborations with Belmont Forum and DRR-KAN were discussed.  The collaboration with the World Weather Research Programme of WMO was also discussed.

At the end of two-day’s intense meeting, a list of action points were drawn and endorsed by the Scientific Committee. Co-sponsors, SC members, Host, IPO, NCs and ICoEs believed the session has made progress for a stronger and more productive IRDR.