The Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) deepened its collaboration with Australia’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) research community at the Natural Hazards Research Forum 2026 (NHRF26), hosted by Natural Hazards Research Australia (NHRA) at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide.

NHRA serves as the IRDR National Committee for Australia, a role that builds on the legacy of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, which was admitted as the IRDR National Committee in 2014. This partnership was renewed since IRDR Phase II, and reflected the shared commitment to IRDR’s mission across the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Professor Saini Yang, IRDR’s Executive Director, delivered a keynote address during the Forum’s opening session, presenting on “IRDR’s actions in support of the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction”. Her presentation highlighted IRDR’s ongoing efforts to advance integrated, science-based approaches to DRR, with particular emphasis on the preparations of the post-2030 agenda.

A highlight of the Forum was the session “Envisioning the future, informed by the past: Research that has stood the test of time”, moderated by Hannah Wandel OAM, Chief Executive of the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM). Emeritus Professor John Handmer, a distinguished IRDR Fellow, former Chair of the IRDR Scientific Committee, and also a leading author of the ISC-UNDRR-IRDR global research framework, attended the session as a panellist and explored how natural hazards research has evolved, what can be carried forward with confidence, and how research and practice must continue to adapt to keep communities safer and more resilient against an uncertain future.

 IRDR’s Science Officer, Ms. Fang Lian, also attended the Forum, engaging with researchers and practitioners to explore collaboration opportunities. Beyond the formal program, IRDR valued the opportunity to strengthen its network with NHRA to explore potential initiatives with the Australian DRR community, especially on climate change, public health and indigenous knowledge.

IRDR looks forward to continuing its partnership with NHRA and Australia’s DRR community, accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework and advancing the post-2030 global agenda for DRR through integrated research, knowledge co-production, and inclusive approaches that respect diverse knowledge systems.