Purpose of the session:

Climate change is expected to increase risks and severity of natural disasters in
Ukraine, through more intense temperatures as well as rainfall patterns,
prolonged heat waves, and water scarcity. In recent years, the number of
natural disasters has increased in the region and in many cases, they have been
considered as catastrophic, causing fatalities and leading to significant
economic losses.

War in Ukraine directly exacerbates people’s vulnerability to all other disasters
contributing to the already significant challenges we face in terms of climate
change. War undermines the resilience of all, in particular the most
vulnerable, and exacerbates inequalities.

The seminar is looking for new forms of R&D and innovation to support the recovery of
Ukraine’s society while contributing to the green transition of the country.

Expected outcomes of the session:

• Outcome 1. Find solutions to the convergence between disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

• Outcome 2. How promote knowledge and innovation communities among companies, research labs and universities.

• Outcome 3. To increase understanding how strengthens ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing challenges.

Speakers

•       Opening: Mr Jari Honkanen, EU and International Affairs Unit/Department for Rescue Services, The Ministry of the Interior (Finland)

•       Moderator Ms Solveig Zophoniasdottir, EIT-Climate-KIC (European Commission)

•       Mr Marius Lazdinis, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission

•       European Institute of Innovation & Technology

•       Mr Adam Fysh, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

•       Ms Hanna Lappalainen, INAR Physics, University of Helsinki

•       Innovation Laboratories for Climate Actions (ILCA) project presentation, Mr Miika Kajanus, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

•       Ukraine: why in ILCA project, Dr. Tkachenko Anton, Head of Economics Department, National Scientific Center "Institute of Agriculture of NAAS", Kyiv, Ukraine