The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) has joined national science academies from G20 countries in endorsing a new report calling for stronger international collaboration and more effective use of technology to build resilience to natural hazards and disasters.
The report, Enabling the Effective Use of Technology for Resilience to Natural Hazards and Disasters through International Collaboration, emerged from the 2026 Science20 (S20) process, including a drafting meeting hwosted by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., on June 15–16, 2026.
The report outlines five key recommendations to strengthen disaster preparedness, response and recovery:
- Strengthen data collection and availability and the understanding of risk.
- Enable safe, secure, and equitable access to data and technology.
- Build local skills and capacity and design solutions for local contexts.
- Strengthen human decision-making and governance in technology-enabled systems.
- Advance international and cross-sector collaboration through co-production.
“As climate change intensifies natural hazards and increases the risks facing communities around the world, we must continue to develop new technologies while making better use of the tools and knowledge we already have. By working together across borders and disciplines, we can turn scientific advances into practical action that strengthens resilience and protects communities,” said Françoise Baylis (FRSC), President of the Royal Society of Canada.
“The RSC's collaboration in the report mobilized members from a diversity of backgrounds and disciplines and is a fine example of its leadership in scientific diplomacy,” said Linda Cardinal (FRSC), RSC International Secretary.
The S20 brings together the national science academies of G20 member countries to develop science-based recommendations on global challenges for consideration by G20 leaders.
Media and communications inquiries:
Paige Beveridge
Communications Manager
Royal Society of Canada
communications@rsc-src.ca