Objective

The side event will contribute to the thematic interactive dialogues ID 3: Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment: Source to sea, Biodiversity, Climate, Resilience and DRR (SDGs 6.5, 6.6, 7, 11, 5, 13,14,15). This side event in connection with the UN 2023 Water Conference strives to assimilates the learning from different disciplines that cover various facets of water security. The event also aims to discuss solutions that can be implemented in a coordinated and comprehensive manner to mitigate the effects of drought and flood. To discuss some important solutions like water management, flood protection, rainwater harvesting, climate-resilient agriculture, forest management, early warning system and climate adaptation.

Purpose of the side event

The purpose of this side event is to bring together experts and practitioners from various fields to discuss the latest strategies and approaches for managing the complex challenges of drought and floods. The event will provide a platform for sharing experiences, knowledge and best practices in dealing with these natural hazards and exploring ways to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability.

The specific issues and themes that will be addressed include:

  • Understanding the causes and impacts of drought and floods and their relationship with climate change
  • Identifying and assessing the risks of drought and floods at different scales
  • Developing early warning systems and emergency response plans
  • Enhancing water management and conservation strategies
  • Promoting integrated and holistic approaches to drought and flood management
  • Building community resilience and support for disaster-affected communities
  • Exploring the potential of new technologies and innovations for drought and flood management
  • Identifying gaps in current knowledge and research and discussing future research priorities.

The event will provide a unique opportunity for participants to learn from experts, exchange ideas and network with other professionals in the field. It will also contribute to the advancement of knowledge and best practices in dealing with drought and floods and support the implementation of sustainable and effective drought and flood management policies and programs.

Registration Link

For the event programme please click below to start your registration .

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Agenda

Date: Thursday, 23rd March 2023
Time: 14:00 – 18:30             
Venue: Bronx Community College – CUNY

2:00  – 2:45 PM

Registration; Meet and Greet Dignitaries in President’s Office

2:45 – 3:00 PM

Introduction, Welcome Remarks & Felicitation

Prof. Paramita Sen, Bronx Community College/CUNY

Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari, Secretary General, International Association of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Sweden

Dr. Thomas Iskenegbe, President, Bronx Community College/CUNY, USA

Felicitations & Introduction of Keynote Speaker – Dr. Snehal Donde, Advisor, PWCDF

3:00 – 3:25 PM

Keynote Address – Dr. Rajendra Singh, Chairman, People’s World Commission for Drought and Flood, Sweden

3:25 – 4:00 PM

(8 mins per speaker)

(6 mins Q&A)

Session 1: Science and Society

(Assessing Drought and Flood Risks, Mitigation, and Innovation)

Chair- Mr. V. Prakash Rao, Chairman IPRBC, Telangana, India

Co-Chair- Mr. Ethan Hirsch-Tauber, the Water Folk, USA

Speaker 1: Dr. Martin Schoonen, Brookhaven National Lab, USA

Speaker 2: Dr. Dimitri Katehis, NYC Dept of Environmental Protection, USA

Speaker 3: Dr. Dipak Gyawali, Commissioner, Himalayan Hindukush, Nepal

Questions and Answers

4:00 – 4:45 PM

(5 mins per speaker)

(5 mins Q&A)

 

Session 2: Panel Discussion & Case Studies

(Indigenous Knowledge System and Local Wisdom)

Chair- Dr. Rajendra Singh, Chairman PWCDF, Sweden

Rapporteur- Mr. Zachary Eric Weiss, Water Stories, USA

Panellist 1: Dr Naresh Devenini, City College of New York/CUNY, USA

Panellist 2: Mr. Satyanarayana Bolisetty, National Convener, Jalbiradari, India

Panellist 3: Ms. Sweta Jhunjhunwala, Advisor, PWCDF, Sweden

Panellist 4: Prof. Paramita Sen, Bronx Community College/CUNY, USA

Panellist 5: Mr. Shrikant Paygavhane, Mission 500, India

Panellist 6: Mr. Rajesh Sundaresan, (Singapore) Advisor, PWCDF, Sweden

Panellist 7: Mr. Nicholas Salazar Sutil, Director, Guardians Worldwide

Questions and Answers

4:45 – 5:15 PM

Coffee/Tea Break (Networking & Collaborations)

5:20 – 6:20 PM

 

(5 mins per speaker)

(5 mins Q&A)

 

Session 3: Science and Technology

(Advanced Technology to Combat Drought and Flood)

Chair- Dr. Vasil Diyamandoglu, City College of New York/CUNY, USA

Co-Chair- Dr. Neal Phillip, Bronx Community College/CUNY, USA

Speaker 1: Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari, Secretary General of International Association of Advanced Materials, Sweden

Speaker 2: Dr. Christopher Boxe, Howard University, USA

Speaker 3: Mr. Frederick Kincheloe, Savin Engineers, White Plains, USA

Speaker 4: Dr. Snehal Donde, Advisor, PWCDF, Sweden

Speaker 5: Mr. Narendra Chugh, Jalbiradari, India

Questions and Answers

6:20 – 6:30 PM

Vote of Thanks – Mr. V. Prakash Rao & Prof. Paramita Sen

 

Interaction with invitees and delegates for sharing their experiences from US and India and defining long term mutual areas of collaboration.

Date: Friday, 24th March 2023
Time: 19:00 – 20:15             
Venue: Columbia University, New York

19:00 – 19:05

Introduction

19:05 – 19:20

Lecture on water risk due to climate change

19:20 – 19:50

Public Lecture by  Dr. Rajendra Singh, Chairman, PWCDF

19:50 – 20:15

Q&A

20:15 – 21:00

UN delegates mingling with the students of Columbia University faculty and students

Speakers/Panelists