United Nations-Pakistan International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment, and International Training Course on Space based Disaster Management - Shifting Focus from Reactive to Proactive Approaches
Islamabad, Pakistan, 11 May - 22 May 2026
Hosted by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on behalf of the Government of Pakistan
Important Documents
- Conference Announcement
- Information Note (TBA)
- Agenda (TBA)
Click for Online registration (Last day to register: 14 March 2026)
1. Rationale and Context
Recognizing the critical role of space-based information in strengthening resilience to climate- and disaster-related risks, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in cooperation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, will organize an International Conference on "Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment" from 11 to 15 May 2026, followed by an International Training Course on "Space-Based Disaster Management - Shifting Focus from Reactive to Proactive Approaches" from 18 to 22 May 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The events are organized within the framework of UN-SPIDER and aim to advance the implementation of key global policy frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular emphasis on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and the United Nations Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative.
The Conference will be hosted by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, and co-sponsored by UN-SPIDER and the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET).
2. Conference Objectives
The Conference will provide a strategic forum to:
- Promote the use of space-based technologies and geospatial information to strengthen early warning systems, disaster risk assessment and climate action;
- Support national and regional implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through space-enabled solutions;
- Explore the role of space technologies in advancing climate action across key sectors such as water, agriculture, environment and forestry;
- Assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13, using space-based information;
- Strengthen international and inter-institutional cooperation among governments, international organizations, academia and the space community, with a particular focus on developing countries.
The Training Course aims to:
- Build technical capacity in space-based disaster management within the UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office network, APSCO and ISNET Member States;
- Strengthen participants' skills in quantitative flood and drought risk assessment and climate impact analysis;
- Introduce methodologies for heatwave hazard assessment using satellite-derived parameters;
- Provide practical know-how for conducting national-level disaster risk assessments, with an emphasis on proactive risk management.
3. Programme
International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for EW4All, Climate Actions and Disaster Risk Assessment (11-15 May 2026)
The Conference will include:
- Eight half-day technical sessions;
- High-level panel discussions addressing policy and strategic issues;
- Keynote presentations by invited experts;
- Informational sessions followed by interactive discussions;
- A half-day technical visit to relevant national institutions in Pakistan.
Thematic sessions will address, inter alia:
- United Nations Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative;
- Space technologies supporting EW4All: case studies and good practices;
- Space and geospatial technologies for the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030);
- Space-based approaches to climate action;
- Applications of space technologies for SDG monitoring;
- Disaster risk assessment using space-based data, with a shift from reactive response to proactive risk reduction;
- Satellite data sources, including remote sensing, GNSS and satellite communications, for disaster management.
One or two panel discussions will address cross-cutting themes such as:
- Progress towards Sendai Framework targets;
- Space technologies for water and food security;
- EW4All as a catalyst for strengthening national preparedness and resilience.
A detailed conference programme will be made available in due course.
International Training Course on Space based Disaster Management - Shifting Focus from Reactive to Proactive ApproachesTraining Programme (18-22 May 2026)
The five-day Training Course will combine expert lectures with hands-on technical sessions, covering:
- Introduction to satellite remote sensing and GIS;
- Fundamentals of space-based disaster management;
- Satellite data sources and processing techniques;
- Flood hazard assessment, modelling and damage estimation;
- Drought hazard assessment using satellite data and Google Earth Engine;
- Heatwave hazard assessment using satellite-derived indicators;
- Demonstrations of risk calculators, NatCat models and disaster monitoring tools.
A detailed training programme will be published separately.
4. Participants
The Conference is expected to bring together approximately 200 participants from governments, international and regional organizations, academia, research institutions, the diplomatic community, and the space sector.
The Training Course will be limited to 30-40 participants, selected from UN-SPIDER, APSCO, APCICT and ISNET networks, as well as relevant national institutions in Pakistan.
UNOOSA is committed to gender mainstreaming and to ensuring balanced representation from developing countries and across disciplines.
5. Support to Qualified Applicants
Within the limited financial resources available to the co-sponsors, a number of qualified applicants from developing countries , who have express ed the need for financial support will be selected on a competitive basis, based on their qualifications, experience and expected contributions to the Conference, and offered financial support to attend. This may include the provision of a round-trip economy class air ticket between Islamabad and the applicant's international airport of departure and/or per diem for the duration of the Conference. En-route and other expenses or any changes made to the air ticket provided by the co-sponsors must be the responsibility of the participants.
Applicants must generally have a university degree and well-established professional working experience in a field related to the themes of the Conference. Applicants should be in managerial, decision-making, technical or academic positions within governmental agencies, international, regional and national institutions, universities, NGOs or private industry with responsibilities for carrying out programmes or projects in the areas related to the theme of the Conference.Due to limited availability of financial support, not all applicants for travel support can be accommodated. In this respect, applicants and their nominating organizations are strongly encouraged to also identify additional sources of sponsorship to allow them to attend the Conference. Applicants who demonstrate that the Conference is central to their professional activities/responsibilities, as well as qualified female applicants, will be selected on a priority basis.
Selected participants to whom travel support will be offered by the co-sponsors of the Conference are expected to contribute a presentation of approximately 15 to 20 minutes on topics relevant to the Conference objectives and to the programme. Presentations on actual on-going projects will be of particular interest to organizers of the Conference.
6. Dates and Location
The Conference will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, at a designated hotel, from 11 May to 22 May 2026.
All selected and invited participants will receive an information package with details on boarding, lodging and other local arrangements.
7. Language of the Conference
Applicants must have a good working knowledge of English, which will be the official working language of the Conference.
8. Life and Health Insurance
Life and major health insurance is the responsibility of each selected participant or his/her nominating institution or government. The co-sponsors will not assume any responsibility for life and major health insurance, nor for any expenses related to medical treatment or accidents.
9. Deadline for Submission of Applications
Complete applications and abstracts shall be submitted to the Office for Outer Space Affairs through this online registration page.
The completed applications, properly endorsed by the applicant's government/institution, should be received by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs as soon as possible, but no later than 14 March 2026 (especially if seeking funding support) . Applications received after the deadline might still be considered, but applicants might not be eligible for financial or visa support. The online application form can be accessed HERE
10. Further Information and Contact Details
For questions related to the Conference programme and participation opportunities, please contact:
Mr. Lorant Czaran
Office for Outer Space Affairs
United Nations Office at Vienna
E-mail: czaran [at] un.org
Mr. Hamid Mehmood
Office for Outer Space Affairs
United Nations Office at Vienna, UN-SPIDER Beijing Office
E-mail: hamid.mehmood [at] un.org
Ms LIU Longfei
Office for Outer Space Affairs
United Nations Office at Vienna, UN-SPIDER Beijing Office
E-mail: liulongfei [at] ndrcc.org.cn
Mr Farooq Ahmad
SUPARCO HQs Islamabad
E-mail: farooq [at] suparco.gov.pk
Ms Aisha Jagirani
SUPARCO HQs Islamabad
E-mail: aisha.jagirani [at] suparco.gov.pk
Logistics Information (check for updates)
For logistical information (visa arrangements, health, security, hotels, transportation) please consult this section regularly.
Some information will only be shared directly with the registered and accepted Conference participants.
Accommodation
International and funded participants will be asked to stay at the same designated hotel. Information will follow.
Lunches, Coffee/tea Breaks
Kindly note that lunches will be provided to Conference participants. Coffee breaks will be also available.