Japan Bosai Platform and ARISE INDIA (FICCI) holds webinar in collaboration with Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) , Knowledge Partners SDGChoupal. Japanese and Indian Companies showcase their innovations COVID19 Vaccine by end of year says Indian Company
As part of cooperation between private sector of Japan and India, a series of webinars have been planned to share each other’s new technology and innovations in the field of disaster risk reduction. It is under this understanding, a three webinars program on ,”Innovations, New Technologies and AI – Tools for Managing Complex Future Disasters post COVID-19”, was organized jointly by Japan Bosai Platform (JBP) and ARISE INDIA (FICCI) in collaboration with Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), would be beld on 02, 16 and 30 Sep 2020. In this webinar spread over three days, Japanese and Indian companies are showcasing their innovations and new technologies in Phase 1. In Phase 2, industries would be grouped sector-wise for workshops on specific sectors and in Phase 3, there will be b2b dialogues between the industries for business opportunities. The webinar was inaugurated by Gen NC Vij, Former Chief of Army Staff and Founder Vice Chairpeson of National Disaster Management Authority.
The webinar on 02 Sep, started with the video message from Ms Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of UNDRR, Geneva. She welcomed the initiative taken by ARISE INDIA and JBP to hold a webinaand bring out industries of the two countries together to share their experiences and innovations. She also offered her condolence to families who have lost their near and dear ones due to coronavirus. She praised the work done in the field of DRR by ARISE INDIA and ARISE Japan. Corona-virus pandemic had affected almost all countries and to fight this virus and other challenges, countries should come together to find solutions. She was happy that JBP and ARISE INDIA network were taking concrete steps to mitigate the disaster risks in the private sector. A welcome message by Ms Loretta Hieber Girardet, Chief of UNDRR Regional Office Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok was read out. She said that, “theme for this year’s International Day for DRR which falls on 13 October , is around governance. Tt is important to note that to gain the most benefit from these innovations and technologies, they must be applied within the context of sound risk governance.” .
Mr. Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI and UNDRR Arise Board Member said that ARISE INDIA has taken the initiative to make India Drought Free by 2030, in collaboration with the Govt of India. Role of Pvt Sector would be very crucial in pulling up the economy by bringing business back to normal which has suffered badly due to corona-virus pandemic. Innovative measures have to be designed to overcome such serious biological disasters along with natural and climate related disasters. For helping to fund such innovations an Innovation Fund of $50 million was proposed to be launched with support from both Japan and India. He invited Japanese companies to participate in this challenge. He gave example of Millennium Alliance and how this initiative by FICCI , with support from other countries has made a mark.
Mr. Hiro Nischiguchi, President of JBP said that whole world was passing through a very difficult time due to pandemic. Disasters have to be fought not only by the Governments but by all stake-holders. There is a strong commitment for Japan and India to come and work together and private sector can support the public sector in this endeavor to reduce risks.
Ms Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP in India spoke about UNDP’s role in supporting Govt efforts in the field of disaster management since 1999. She recounted major disasters in India where UNDP help in mitigation of disaster proved useful. She was looking forward to more interaction between two countries in DRR. She brought out the important role of private sector in DRR and that UNDP would be happy to provide support to the private sector led by ARISE INDIA and JBP.
Mr. Singo Miyamoto, Minister (Economic) Embassy of Japan in India appreciated the efforts of the organizers and said that in this program both Governments & CDRI share common values and will work towards increasing connectivity, supply chain and increase co-operation amongst each other for Covid 19 crisis. He said that Japan was one of the first nations to join the CDRI initiative and has been helping in its out-reach. He also said that this webinar is the first major activity of CDRI on its promotion in the private sector. He said that the private sector cooperation between two countries was important and would look forward to seeing it prosper more.
Mr. Raj Kumar Srivastava, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Japan shared his thoughts based on his experience of working for Earthquakes and other hazards. He brought out the importance of resilient infrastructure. Technology and innovation can play a major role in reducing risks. He also. mentioned that this webinar would pave the way towards greater co-operation between the private sector of both countries in the field of DRR.
Mr. Sandeep Poundrik, Director General, CDRI, informed that CDRI was a multi—stakeholder global partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programs, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector and academic and knowledge institutions. It aims to address the challenge of building resilience to climate and disaster risks. This was the first private sector event which CDRI was happy to collaborate and praised ARISE INDIA and JBP in organizing it CDRI would be happy if the message of private sector participation is spread to industries and business houses for close cooperation. CDRI would be happy to support such endeavors by ARISE INDIA and JBP.
Mr. Fernando Perez de Britto, Chairman of AI systems & Board Member of UNDRR Arise spoke of importance of AI in reducing the risks of climate and other types of disasters. AI can help in giving early warning, mitigation and response and help finding solutions to various challenges in various phases of disaster cycle. AI Systems Group which he was heading was a highly technology and consulting company specialized in AI, analytics and decision support solutions for small and big clients like IBM. They would be ready to support the private sector in India and Japan.
Mr. N C Vij, Former COAS & Founder Vice Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India said that Post Covid-19 the countries would be like as their condition was after World War II ended – nations absolutely drained out, economy shattered and millions having lost their jobs. Here AI has to play an important role in finding solutions to vexed prevailing problems. He informed that there has been a loss of US $3000 Billion due to disasters, 70% of which due natural disasters. Science and Technology have to play an important role in reducing / preventing colossal damage due to any type of disaster. Natural disasters also happen due to unplanned urbanization as in case of India. Close networking between all stake-holders was the need of the hour. Innovations and AI would play a much bigger role in future complex and recurring disasters.
Brig (Dr.) B K Khanna, CEO Arise India, in his opening remarks informed about the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the two countries in 2017. 3 workshops have since been held, two in New Delhi and one in Tokyo. The last one in New Delhi on 18 March 2019 was devoted on three themes, namely research, cities and private sector companies. Private sector session was organized jointly by JBP and FICCI. Since then JBP and ARISE INDIA had executed a MoU on cooperation on a range of issues including sharing of innovations and new technologies. This webinar was the first of the series of activities of cooperation between the two countries private sector.
The webinar had representatives of senior management from Industries, decision makers and academia from both of Japan & India.
Innovations by Companies.
From Indian side two companies, namely Bharat Biotech International Ltd and Ingeo Cotractor Private Ltd made presentations. Dr Raches Ella, Head Business Development, Bharat Biotech informed that the company was developing three vaccines for COVID-19 virus. The first one has completed first phase of human trials and the first vaccine is likely to be in the market by the end of this year or early next year, after necessary approvals. He gave the details of development of all three vaccines. Mr Rajneesh Mehra, CEO INGEO Contractor Pvt Ltd, India, informed about the Barrier Force which is meant to channel the flood water with rapid building of a strong wall prepared on the spot within a couple of hours. The device can also be useful in preventing land-slides.
Innovations by Japanese Companies
Three Japanese companies gave the presentation. Mr Kazuo Sasaki, Owner of Challenge Co Ltd, Japan informed about the earthquake senor alarm device which are very useful for schools and for hospitals. The devices have been prepared both with AI and new technology. Mr Takashi Shimizutani , Conservation Engineers and Co Ltd, informed about the Fujimin used for forestation and arresting landslides and floods and use of Fulvi Acid High concentrate solution to grow faster and healthier vegetables and fruits. Mr Yasuaki Takeda of Weathernews Inc, Japan informed about flood and sediment disaster warning and risk visualization service which the company was providing. The company provides and plan to develop AI Chatbot system which the citizens can interact with for better response to natural hazards and climate change through the mobile application. LINE. Company can also provide their content by API in order to connect other chat applications.
The webinar finished on a happy note with promise to link up again on 16 Sep and 30 Sep to listen to the innovations and new technologies and AI advances by ore than 15 Japanese and IndianCompanies. In case you are interested to join. Please contact Brig (Dr) BK Khanna, CEO ARISE INDIA at bkkhanna2@gmail.com for registeration.
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