杭州市科学技术协会

The Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) Program is a comprehensive international sci-tech disaster reduction program that brings together professional knowledge in the field of science, technology, and engineering to improve people's understanding of various disaster risks.

The program explores solutions for disaster reduction and enhances the ability of human society to respond to disaster risks and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction through international exchanges and cooperation.

Initiated in 2009, the IRDR Program is supported by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and co-sponsored by the International Science Council (ISC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The program was signed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the CAS (AIR-CAS).

In 2010, the international office of the program settled in China. At present, the program has 13 National Committees, 1 Latin American Regional Committee, and 18 International Centers of Excellence (ICoE) in disaster reduction worldwide.

Luo Hui, member of the leading Party members group and director general of the Department of International Affairs of CAST, noted that the signing of the second phase of the cooperation agreement is an important measure for China to promote international sci-tech cooperation and contribute to  achieving 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a practice to inject new momentum into the international community's joint response to disaster risks and ensure development security.

Created in 2018 as the result of a merger between the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC), and headquartered in Paris, the ISC catalyses and convenes scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major concern to both science and society, through its growing membership that come from more than 100 countries and regions, with CAST as one of its member units.

The ISC held a mid-term assembly in Paris from 10-12 to discuss current and future work, and the amendment of the charter as well.