INTERPRAEVENT 2016 opens: Natural hazard protection more important than ever

Bern, 30.05.2016 - INTERPRAEVENT 2016, the international natural hazards congress, opened today in Lucerne. Over 500 international experts will discuss the latest developments in research and practice over the four-day event. In his opening address, Marc Chardonnens, Director of the FOEN, noted that the issue of natural hazards and protection against them is more important than ever in Switzerland.

The theme of this year's INTERPRAEVENT 2016 congress is "Living with natural risks". As an exposed Alpine country with a high settlement density and extensive infrastructure, e.g. railway lines, Switzerland faces wide-ranging challenges in the area of natural hazards. Around one fifth of the Swiss population lives in hazard areas and requires protection against natural hazards. Switzerland has developed good workable solutions, particularly since the floods of 2005, said Marc Chardonnens, Director of the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN. Providing protection against natural hazards is an ongoing task, which is becoming more important and challenging than ever due to climate warming and stronger precipitation, and the resulting floods and landslides.

Robert Küng, Lucerne Cantonal Councillor and Head of the canton's Building, Environment and Economics Department, drew attention to the complexities of nature. While the canton of Lucerne benefits from the beauty of nature as a tourism destination, it must also deal with the associated hazards.

Natural hazards do not recognise borders

At the congress, experts from all over the world exchanged their knowledge and experience of natural hazards which are a cross-border phenomenon. In her address, Margareta Wahlström, who was Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) until 2015, stressed that protection against natural hazards is a fundamental precondition for the sustainable development of the economy and society. It is important to identify the risks, reduce them and prevent new ones from arising. The UN's Sendai Framework For Disaster Risk Reduction, which was adopted in 2015, provides a roadmap for achieving this.

This year's international congress on natural hazards, INTERPRAEVENT 2016, takes place in Switzerland from 30 May to 2 June. The congress is one of the most important global events in the field of natural hazards. The topics covered by the presentations include governance and strategies in dealing with natural risks, data surveying and modelling, hazard and risk assessment, hazard and risk reduction, and crisis management. Participants will also be able to observe Switzerland's approach to natural hazard management during various excursions.

The research society INTERPRAEVENT, which is based in Austria, holds congresses every four years in Europe and every four years in-between in Asia. Last staged in Switzerland in 1992, the congress returns to the country this year and is jointly organised by the FOEN and the canton of Lucerne. The research society INTERPRAEVENT is an international network of experts on protection against natural hazards.


Address for enquiries

Media Section
Telephone: +41 58 462 90 00
E-mail: medien@bafu.admin.ch



Publisher

Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-61918.html