Climate resilience, disaster risk reduction: Innovative applications of space tech, GeoAI explored

Business Recorder · 31/10/2026، 12:33:01 AM

ISLAMABAD: The fourth day of the UN/Pakistan International Conference on “Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment,” hosted by SUPARCO, focused on “Innovation, Youth & Field Experience,” bringing together national and international experts, researchers, academics and young professionals to explore innovative applications of space technology, GeoAI and emerging technologies for climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. The day’s proceedings featured two technical sessions, highlighting advancements in geospatial technologies, artificial intelligence and youth-led climate research. The first session, “Innovative Tools and GeoAI,” explored the role of UN-SPIDER in the UN Early Warning for All initiative, responsible and ethical applications of GeoAI for disaster risk reduction, and the potential of geospatial technologies for socio-economic transformation. Presentations also showcased AI-driven multi-hazard risk assessment, climate-related health analysis, agentic AI for proactive early warning, satellite-based earthquake precursor research, and innovative tools for building damage assessment. The second session, “Rising Voices: Youth-Led Climate Research and Action,” provided a platform for emerging researchers and young professionals to present innovative research addressing critical climate and disaster-related challenges. Topics included satellite-based landslide assessment, GeoAI applications, snow-cover changes and GLOF risks in the Hunza Basin, stream flow prediction in data-scarce regions, AI-driven flood management, climate-resilient settlement recovery, urban subsidence monitoring, decentralized early warning systems, climate variability, and above-ground biomass estimation using LiDAR and machine learning. The session highlighted the growing contribution of academic institutions and young researchers to developing practical, technology-driven solutions for climate resilience. A panel di