The KLCDD looks forward to a significant contribution to the disaster risk reduction, and would like to be heavily involved in the worldwide research activities. The following issues mainly concerned by the KLCDD may possibly become parts of the disaster research roadmap for the next decade.

       (1) Platform for research exchange and collaboration

       It is very exciting to know that the establishment of the International Forum on Natural Disaster Research (IFNDR) will be formalized in the 2nd Global Summit. What specific actions and practical plans will be taken by the IFNDR to help share knowledge, experiences and ideas on disaster research? Is there any possibility to attract multi-country joint funds to support the research on disaster as many countries are facing the same disaster problem?

       (2) Identification of knowledge gaps involving cross-disciplines 

       Disaster is an extremely complex system consisting of many disciplines, such as, physics, mechanics, chemistry, engineering, economy and society. The experts from different disciplines need to team up and work together in order to achieve a goal of disaster risk reduction. Research should focus on the identification of strength and weakness in each discipline, and an efficient cross-disciplines framework for disaster research is desired.

       (3) Adoption of emerging technologies

       Research should focus on the application of emerging technologies to disaster risk reduction. For example, the innovative technologies dealing with mega data and cloud computing may provide valuable tools in the real-time disaster warning system. The quick/immediate adoption of emerging technologies will create long-term benefits.

       (4) Energy harvesting from disaster

       Governments are succeeding in reducing energy consumption through policy and industry, while developing new energy generation technologies. Disaster is normally with a huge amount of energy, resulting in a destructive force. The traditional defence works need to bear such kind of destructive force and become vulnerable in order to protect the people or assets behind. If energy absorber (for the generation of electricity power) can be installed into the defence works, the destructive energy leading to disaster becomes renewable energy.