Active participation and involvement of the private sector in disaster management is considered to be an important factor for strengthening DRR capacity. Models and approaches of private sector involvement as well as its role in DRR are different between developed and developing countries.  This session aimed to share the case studies of private sector engagement in disaster management from different countries and identify the challenges and potentials as well as discuss and make recommendations on what needs to be done to enhance its contribution.  In addition, the publication “Disaster Management and Private Sectors: Challenges and Potentials” was also launched at this event. Six scholars and DRR practitioners made presentations and the panel discussion “Private Sectors and Future Potentials” followed.  At the panel discussion, it was discussed on what kind of support and elements were needed to promote and support the involvement of the private sector in DRR. It was emphasized that it was crucial to share the information and establish a partnership with the private sector through various platforms, and to provide the private sector with support, i.e, conducting trainings on business continuity plan in collaboration with NGOs and governments. The importance of collecting case studies and share them among the private sector was also highlighted.   The speakers and the titles are as follows:

• Salient findings in the book: Takako Izumi (IRIDeS, Tohoku University)
• Elements to Enhance Private Sector Engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study in Central America: Tsuneki Hori (Inter-America Development Bank)
• Private Sector Involvement in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia: Ranit Chatterjee (Kyoto University)
• Thailand Floods and Impact on Private Sector: Aslam Perwaiz (Asian Disaster Preparedness Center)
• Indonesian Experiences: Focus on Partnership: Victor Rembeth (Disaster Resource Partnership)
• Experiences of Africa: Status and Potentials: Dewald van Niekerk (North-West University, South Africa)