The annual conference of the science academies of the G20 member countries (Science20 or S20) was held under the auspices of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
The participating academies issued a joint statement (attached) calling on the respective governments to leverage advanced technologies in the management and prevention of natural disasters. Released ahead of the G20 summit scheduled to take place in Miami this December, the statement emphasizes that tools such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence, drones, early warning systems, and digital twins are essential for strengthening resilience and supporting decision-making processes in the face of increasingly frequent and intense weather events and other extreme conditions.
As highlighted by NAS President Neil H. Shubin and International Secretary Cherry A. Murray, international scientific cooperation and the use of advanced technologies should serve to complement and enhance human expertise, without ever replacing it. The statement highlights the importance of improving the collection and availability of risk-related data, ensuring secure and equitable access to technological infrastructure, developing skills tailored to local contexts, promoting transparent and accountable governance, and strengthening cross-border and cross-sector collaboration for knowledge sharing.