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East Asian Universities Shape Culture and Climate Change Research Agenda

UNESCO - IRDR meeting on "International Cooperation for Climate Change" in Hangzhou, China.
© CADP

From April 28 to 29, 2025, UNESCO co­-hosted with Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) a meeting on "International Cooperation for Climate Change" in Hangzhou, China. As a sub-forum of the 2025 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Conference, the meeting brought together experts and scholars from 10 East Asia universities to discuss the potential integrated research topics on culture and disaster risks in the context of climate change.

In his opening remarks, Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, emphasized that safeguarding cultural heritage in the context of climate change necessitates enhanced international cooperation and the full integration of local wisdom and experience into the policymaking process. Yu Yong, Vice President of the China Association for Disaster Prevention (CADP), expressed CADP’s commitment to further engaging in global disaster reduction cooperation and share China's experiences with international community on the topics of cultural heritage and climate change. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific underscored the need for multi-hazard response strategies and localized solutions as cultural heritage is facing increasing threats from climate change.

Opening speech by Prof. Khan © CADP
Opening speech by CADP Vice President Yu © CADP
Opening speech by Dr. Toscano-Rivalta © CADP
Group photo © CADP

During the first session of the meeting, representatives from East Asian universities shared their frontier research and insights. Experts emphasized the intersection of climate change, cultural heritage, and local communities. Li Min (Ritsumeikan University, Japan) discussed climate threats to World Heritage sites and advocated for strengthening research on climate change adaptation measures linked with traditional culture. Otgonpurev Sukhbaatar (Mongolian University of Life Sciences) highlighted climate disasters’ impact on pastoral communities and resilience-building practices. Kei Kano (Shiga University, Japan) shared innovations blending traditional knowledge with green technology to combat climate change. Lai Weihong (Beijing Normal University, China) explored how folklore shapes risk perception and post-disaster recovery, underscoring culture’s role in disaster response.

Experts also showcased cutting-edge tools and collaborative frameworks. Tian Bingwei (Sichuan University, China) introduced how dynamic disaster monitoring and early warning systems for heritage sites enhance response capabilities and more effectively safeguarding heritage. Donghyun Kim (Jeonju University, Republic of Korea) detailed ROK’s use of advanced sprinkler systems and fireproof materials to protect heritage from wildfires. Dong Wei (Southeast University, China) advocated for 3D digital archiving and new technologies to aid post-disaster restoration. Ye Tao (Beijing Normal University, China) stressed the broader need for interdisciplinary research and international cooperation in safeguarding heritage under climate change.

In the next session of the meeting, university representatives engaged in in-depth discussions on the needs for integrated study of culture and disaster risk management in the context of climate change. Participants unanimously agreed that interdisciplinary research and international cooperation are essential to developing innovative solutions for safeguarding cultural heritage and managing disaster risks. Experts also highlighted critical communication gap between the scientific community and the general public, urging the adoption of locally adapted, accessible approaches to risk communication. By tailoring messaging to cultural contexts, such strategies can foster broader community engagement and strengthen societal awareness of disaster risks and climate resilience.

During the last plenary discussion, participants from East Asian universities and UNESCO/IRDR experts outlined four priority research areas to advance cultural heritage resilience under climate change. First, “cultural heritage assessment of vulnerability and resilience” will focus on refining risk assessment methods, integrating socio-economic and community perspectives, and aligning heritage safeguarding with climate adaptation strategies. Second, “bridging traditional and scientific knowledge” aims to evaluate indigenous practices’ efficacy, develop co-production frameworks, and address policy barriers to integrating local wisdom into climate action. Third, “technologies for heritage monitoring” will leverage AI, IoT, and remote sensing for real-time documentation, while promoting community co-designed tools and ethical data governance. Finally, “the role of culture in climate action” will explore how heritage-based education, grassroots initiatives, and policy integration can amplify resilience. These priorities will guide future collaborative research, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches, equitable partnerships, and scalable solutions.

Discussion at the plenary session © CADP

UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia reaffirms its commitment to strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation, leveraging research, capacity building workshops and knowledge exchange initiatives to amplify culture’s pivotal role in climate resilience.