Program KC.08/21-30: Strengthening research on disaster risk warning and management technology

In the context of increasingly severe natural disasters and climate change, the national program "Scientific and technological research for environmental protection, disaster prevention and climate change response" (code KC.08/21-30) has been specified with a clear goal: Focus on applying warning technology and risk management to support disaster prevention, environmental protection and sustainable development.

Program KC.08/21-30 is part of the national Science and Technology Program system for the period up to 2030, approved under Decision 1033/QD BKHCN dated June 20, 2022 of the Ministry of Science and Technology .

The context of the program implementation shows that the need is urgent: Vietnam is considered one of the five countries most severely affected by climate change. Therefore, the application of early warning technology, risk management and transfer of research results into practice cannot be delayed.

The KC.08/21-30 programme has identified the following priority research groups:

Building and perfecting forecasting methods and processes: The goal is to develop integrated models and tools to forecast and warn of dangerous hydrometeorological phenomena, such as urban flooding, riverbank erosion, coastal estuary sedimentation, drought, and saltwater intrusion.

Developing technological solutions to prevent, respond to, and overcome natural disaster risks: Encouraging the application of Big Data, advanced models, and modern technology suitable to Vietnam's conditions.

Research and transfer of technology for monitoring and supervising the natural environment: Focusing on factors such as land, water, air; pollution control; environmental restoration after incidents.

Support the development of green economic models, circular economy and carbon markets linked to environment and natural disasters: With the goal of rational resource use and sustainable development.

Notably, the program sets very clear goals for practical application: At least 80% of tasks must have products that can be applied in practice by the end of the program; 80% of project results continue to be researched and perfected; 10% of tasks are pilot production projects.

The KC.08/21-30 program is designed to increase the effectiveness of disaster prevention and climate change response. The priority of warning and risk management technology shows a shift from pure research to applied research.

In fact, previous phases such as KC.08/16-20 have implemented tasks to build tools for forecasting, warning and managing natural disasters. For example, task code KC.08.01/16-20 "Research on building a seasonal climate forecasting system for Vietnam using dynamic models" has completed products such as forecasting models, standard data sets, and data processing software.

Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Hoa, Head of KC08 Program, shares research orientation.

According to the Program Management Board, for the program to be truly effective, its implementation requires close coordination between ministries, branches, research institutes, universities and businesses. The transfer of research results into management and production is key, each research product must be "put into life" and not just remain in scientific reports.

The KC.08/21-30 program is opening up opportunities for Vietnam to improve its scientific and technological research in response to natural disasters and climate change. With a clear orientation on warning technology, risk management and application of results, this is a step in the right direction in the context of natural disasters and climate change that wait for no one.

The results of the program are not only scientific papers but also tools, models, warning systems, and technical solutions operated at the local level, contributing to reducing damage, increasing community resilience, and protecting the environment. When the program is seriously implemented, effectively coordinated, and adequately resourced, it can become one of the important pillars for Vietnam to be more proactive in preventing natural disasters and responding to climate change.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/chuong-trinh-kc08-21-30-tang-cuong-nghien-cuu-cong-nghe-canh-bao-va-quan-ly-rui-ro-thien-tai-197251104111621512.htm