UNESCO’s designated sites, comprising Biosphere Reserves, UNESCO Global Geoparks, and World Heritage Sites, exist within diverse geographical landscapes, potentially facing various natural hazards, water-related issues, and extreme weather events. This exposure not only threatens these sites but also endangers the local communities’ livelihoods. Despite this recognized threat, a significant number of these UNESCO sites lack comprehensive risk assessments, efficient risk management plans, and the necessary expertise to address these vulnerabilities.
Collaborative efforts are crucial to assist these sites in formulating detailed risk assessments and integrating disaster risk management elements into the management strategies, thereby safeguarding these invaluable UNESCO sites.
In response to these critical needs, the UNESCO Water Resilience Challenge 2023: Youth Action for Water has been developed. This initiative aims to foster water resilience in UNESCO-designated sites by engaging not only youths but also selected experts who will mentor them in developing innovative solutions. If you want to be a part of this program, don’t hesitate to join. Registration is about to open, stay tuned for more updates and share this information to get ready!
