Bali, Indonesia – From September 5 to 11, 2026, The Resilience Development Initiative (RDI), in collaboration with the IDRiM Society, PPMB ITB, and Poltekpar Bali, successfully hosted the 16th International Conference of the Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRiM) 2026. This landmark event marked a significant milestone as the first IDRiM conference ever held in Southeast Asia, bringing the global disaster risk management discourse to Indonesia.

Guided by the theme "Resilient Cities in Multi-Hazard Crises: Bridging Innovation, Implementation Science, and Grassroots Action," the conference provided a comprehensive platform for experts, policymakers, and practitioners. The discussions were structured around ten critical tracks: Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Risk Assessment; Social Protection and Financing Resilience in Disaster Risk Management; Resilient Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions; Response, Recovery, and Reconstruction: Reflection on 20 Years of Build Back Better (BBB); Urban Community Resilience; Resilient Urban and Small Island Tourism in Multi-Hazard Environments; Implementation Science for Inclusive Sustainable Resilience; Early Warning for All (EW4All) and Anticipatory Action; and Systemic and Next-Generation for Disaster Risk.

A Global Space for Collaboration Despite Challenges

The conference saw a response from the global scientific community, with 648 abstracts accepted (349 selected for oral presentations, 69 for poster presentations, and 32 for Special Sessions). Despite unforeseen logistical circumstances surrounding Mount Anak Krakatau's activity, the event successfully convened 413 dedicated participants from 44 countries. This impressive turnout transformed the conference from a traditional academic gathering into a dynamic collective space for cross-border collaboration and resilient action.

The collaborative spirit was ignited early on during the Pre-event Networking Session held on 5-6 September 2026. Over 100 international attendees gathered to present their current projects, exchange ideas, and lay the groundwork for future institutional partnerships.

Main Conference Highlights and Keynote Insights 

The core of the conference (Day 1 to Day 3) featured a robust schedule of plenary sessions, oral and poster presentations, dynamic special sessions, and interactive exhibition booths.

• Day 1 (September 7) opened with Keynote Plenary Session 1: "Hazard Science in Practice: Early Warning Systems and Multi-Risk Disasters," featuring Dr. Ekbal Hussain from the British Geological Survey (BGS), who examined the prolonged multi-risk factors behind the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake in Türkiye. This was followed by Keynote Plenary Session 2: "Urban Climate Resilience and Adaptation under Compound Risks," which brought together Dr. Ir. Medrilzam, M.Prof. Econ from Indonesia's Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Prof. Andrew Collins from Northumbria University (UK), and Prof. Ari Krisna Mawira Tarigan from the University of Stavanger (Norway).

• Day 2 (September 8) continued with Keynote Plenary Session 3: "Community Resilience through Recovery, Adaptation, and Early Warning," presenting insights from Hadianto Rasyid S.E. (Mayor of Palu City), Prof. Rajib Shaw (Keio University), Prof. Ir. Harkunti Pertiwi Rahayu (Institut Teknologi Sumatera/ITERA), and Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita (Kansai University). Keynote Plenary Session 4: "From Risk Modelling to Societal Resilience: Preparedness and Disaster Financing" highlighted an online presentation by Prof. Irwan Meilano from ITB on leveraging geoscience for risk modelling, alongside in-person talks from Dr. Rozana Himaz (University College London/UCL) and Mr. Kocu Andre Hutagalung (Maipark Reinsurance).

• Day 3 (September 9) featured a Special Session (Plenary) on lessons from the 2025 Sumatra Floods, bringing forward expertise from Dr. Suprayoga Hadi (Bappenas), Dr. Saut Sagala (ITB), and Dr. Jonatan Lassa (Earth Sciences New Zealand). The dialogues concluded with Keynote Plenary Session 5: "Advancing Sustainable Resilience through Governance and Implementation Science," featuring Prof. Norio Okada (Kyoto University), Dr. Nibedita S. Ray-Bennett (University of Leicester), and Prof. Dr. Ni Made Eka Mahadewi (Bali Tourism Polytechnic).