ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host a five-day international conference on the use of space technology for climate action, disaster risk assessment and early warning systems from October 27 to 31, 2026, in Islamabad.
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) will organise the United Nations–Pakistan International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment.
The event is being co-sponsored by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (Unoosa), through its UN-SPIDER programme, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (Apsco) and the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (Isnet).
Around 200 to 250 participants are expected to attend the conference, including 60 to 70 international delegates and nearly 150 participants from Pakistan.
The gathering will focus on harnessing satellite observations, space-based technologies and geospatial information to improve disaster preparedness, strengthen early warning mechanisms and support climate-related decision-making.
It will bring together policymakers, diplomats, scientists, researchers, educators, United Nations representatives, development organisations and space industry professionals to exchange expertise and explore opportunities for international collaboration.
A central theme will be the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to safeguard communities and critical infrastructure from climate-related hazards through effective and accessible warning systems.
Participants will also discuss how space technology can support disaster risk reduction, climate-resilient development and the monitoring of water resources, agricultural activities, forests and environmental changes.
The conference programme will include high-level policy discussions, technical sessions, expert panels and presentations covering climate intelligence, geospatial applications, disaster risk assessment and emerging technologies such as geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI).
Experts will explore ways to move beyond reactive disaster management towards proactive risk identification, improved preparedness and timely action to minimise the impact of natural hazards. The role of young scientists and youth-led initiatives in climate research and technological innovation will also feature in the discussions.
The deliberations will be guided by major international frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on climate action.
For Pakistan, the conference is expected to offer a platform to strengthen technical expertise and institutional capacity in applying satellite-derived information to disaster management and climate resilience.
Improved capabilities to assess the risks of floods, droughts and heatwaves could help authorities make better-informed decisions, enhance emergency preparedness and protect communities vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
The event will also encourage cooperation between national and international institutions, promote technical training and support the practical integration of geospatial data into disaster response planning and climate policies.
The conference will conclude on October 31 with a closing ceremony and a technical visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The visit will allow delegates to learn about Pakistan’s disaster management arrangements and examine how satellite monitoring, geospatial information and early warning technologies are used in practice.
Through the initiative, Pakistan aims to expand international partnerships and promote space-based solutions to strengthen climate resilience, improve disaster preparedness and protect vulnerable populations.
