The Understanding Risk (UR) community was born in 2010 out of the recognition that disaster risk assessment and identification were activities that cut across sectors and industries. What began with just five founding partners has grown into a community of over 20,000 experts and practitioners interested and active in the creation, communication, and use of disaster risk information.
This network has inspired innovation by sharing and applying best practices, developing technological solutions, and enabling cross-sector partnerships. The Community comes from nearly 209 countries, with 48.5% coming from WB client countries. Over 4,600 organizations are part of the community, representing government agencies, multilateral organizations, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, academia, community-based organizations, and civil society.
UR24 Himeji+ was the largest Understanding Risk Global Forum to date with more than 1,700 attendees arriving in Himeji City. UR24 was a true platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in Disaster Risk Management.
The Forum hosted DRM experts from 135 countries, 700+ organizations representing Government Agencies, Multilateral Organizations, the Private Sector, NGOs, Research Institutions, Academia and Civil Society worldwide.
UR24 hosted its biggest Expo Area ever with the participation of 45 national and international institutions and insights into Japanese culture with calligraphy lessons, tea tasting, and traditional costume experiences. The Expo Area was built with the innovative PPS cardboard system developed by award-winning Architect Shigeru Ban with VAN (Voluntary Architects’ Network). Its partition system was developed for emergency housing and kindly provided by Hyogo Prefecture; all of the structure is being re-purposed for emergency housing after the event.
Himeji City, in Hyogo prefecture, Japan, served as a fitting location for the forum. This choice holds special significance as it aligns with the commemoration of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995.
The Himeji Castle an iconic masterpiece, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the technical sessions and plenaries will be held at the Arcrea Himeji Culture and Convention Center.
Here, history and tradition meet innovation. Join us and be a part of this significant confluence.
UR22 Floripa
UR2020 Virtual
UR2018 Mexico City
UR2016 Venice
