Abstract proceedings the 6th International symposium on natural hazard-triggered technological accidents : global perspectives for natech risk management

Book excerpt: The Natech symposium has been taking place since 2015, as an initiative of professors Naomi Kato, Shin-ichi Aoki and Ana María Cruz, from Osaka University and Kyoto University respectively. The primary objective of these symposiums has been the promotion of scientific and interdisciplinary exchange of experiences, risk assessment methods and innovative risk reduction measures that address Natech events (industrial accidents caused by large-scale natural events). In its different versions it has had researchers and participants from different countries, allowing the integration of initiatives and efforts that have been developed in this regard. The first symposium was held in March 2015 at Osaka University, and was entitled: International Symposium on Natural Disaster Impacts to Large Industrial Parks, it was funded by the Graduate School of Osaka University, the Airport and Port Research Institute (SIP), the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, and Kyoto University, in cooperation with the Calamity Science Institute.The second version of the event entitled: Activities of Research Initiatives for Natural Disaster Prevention of Oil and Gas Spill in Industrial Parks was held again at Osaka University in 2016. In March 2017, symposium number three was organized by the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI) and took place at Kyoto University. On this occasion, it was approached from the perspective of a workshop on Natech risk management tools, with the aim of making a practical demonstration of some tools available for Natech risk assessment, risk mitigation and emergency operations’ planning for various types of natural hazards. The workshop was attended by participants from 12 countries, including experts, students and stakeholders involved in Natech disaster risk reduction and similar topics. During 2018, the event moved to Ispra, Italy, where the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission and the University of Bologna were the hosts. On this occasion, the fourth event was named Natech Risk Reduction at Large Industrial Parks. The fifth version of the Natech symposium was held in 2021, again organized by Osaka University and Kyoto University. On this occasion, given the restrictions derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually. Currently, the publication of two volumes in the IDRIM Springer Nature Book Series is being issued, which will be released by the end of 2022. This year (2022) Colombia was the host country of the sixth version of the Natech symposium, which was developed in a hybrid way (face-to-face and virtual), being the first time that this event is held in the American continent. On this occasion, the organizers of the event were the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), Osaka University, Kyoto University and the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI). This event focused on the exchange of research experiences and lessons learned related to risk management of technological accidents triggered by natural events (Natech), for their understanding and approach in the Colombian territory.