Shaping the Future of Disaster Risk Management in Southern Africa
- Thandiwe Mokoena
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
🌍 Introduction
In a world increasingly shaped by climate uncertainty, urban vulnerability, and rapid technological change, Disaster Risk Management (DRM) has never been more critical. Across Southern Africa, communities, institutions, and governments are facing urgent questions about how to prepare, respond, and build resilience in the face of mounting risks.
Enter the DRM Conference 2025 – Southern Africa’s premier platform exploring the transformative role of drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and GIS technologies in disaster risk management.
📅 About the Conference
Now in its 4th edition, the DRM Conference will take place from 3–5 November 2025 at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. The event brings together leading minds in technology, science, governance, and humanitarian sectors to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, and forge strategic partnerships.
Hosted by the Department of Employment and Labour, the conference underscores the urgent need to integrate advanced technology into risk planning, monitoring, and response systems across the region.
🚀 Why It Matters
Southern Africa faces a unique combination of environmental hazards — from floods and fires to droughts and infrastructure collapse. As the region urbanises and climate events intensify, the need for data-driven, technology-enabled disaster management systems becomes essential.
This conference is not just about awareness. It’s about equipping professionals with real tools, real strategies, and real networks to act.
🔍 Key Themes
The Role of Drones in Early Warning & Response
Artificial Intelligence for Predictive Risk Modelling
GIS & Remote Sensing in Disaster Mapping
Policy, Regulation, and Multi-Sector Collaboration
Building Local Capacity Through Training & Partnerships
👥 Who Should Attend?
The DRM Conference is designed for a diverse audience, including:
Disaster risk practitioners
Government officials & policy leaders
Tech developers & drone operators
Academics & researchers
NGOs, first responders, and civil society leaders
Urban planners and infrastructure specialists
📢 Be Part of the Movement
Whether you're an innovator looking to showcase your work, a policymaker shaping national preparedness plans, or an academic researching the next frontier in AI, the DRM Conference is where your work meets impact.
Visit www.drmconference.com to register, explore the agenda, and learn how you can be part of shaping the future of disaster risk management in Africa.
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