The WHO Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Centre - WKC) is a global research centre contributing to strengthening health systems in Kobe and Hyogo Prefecture and engages with local communities to share experiences globally. WKC conducts research on health emergencies and disaster risk management and promotes its uptake to ensure that more people will be better protected from the health impact of emergencies and disasters.
On 6 March 2025, the WHO Kobe Centre hosted a WKC Forum during the 30th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Disaster Medicine (JADM) in Nagoya. The forum, titled "Strengthening International Collaboration in Disaster Medicine: Exploring Lessons in Japan Contributing to the Global Disaster Risk Management Toward the WADEM 2025 Tokyo Conference," attracted approximately 100 participants.
It focused on strengthening Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM) in the field of disaster medicine. Participants actively engaged in discussions on key challenges and practical solutions, sharing insights from their experiences in the field. Concrete suggestions for future research and policy proposals were also presented.
A key highlight was the discussion surrounding the upcoming WADEM (World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine) conference scheduled for May 2025. The forum served as an important platform for generating recommendations and exploring strategies to enhance collaboration between domestic and international stakeholders.
During the session, Dr. Ryoma Kayano, Technical Officer at WKC, delivered a presentation titled "Disaster Preparedness and Health Emergency Management: WHO's efforts to build evidence and Japan's expected contributions," emphasizing the critical importance of scientific evidence in disaster medicine. He highlighted that given the uncertainties inherent in disaster response, building a strong evidence base is essential to improving preparedness and ensuring effective response strategies. He also outlined WKC's central role in promoting a global research network dedicated to advancing evidence in disaster and health emergency management.
The forum underscored Japan’s role as a key contributor to advancing global disaster medicine. The insights shared and recommendations made are expected to inspire further dialogue at the WADEM 2025 conference in Tokyo, fostering stronger collaboration between international experts and driving progress in disaster preparedness and response worldwide.