President message for WLF6

Ladies and gentlemen, authorities, colleagues and friends of the global landslide community, the 6th World Landslide Forum in Florence begins November 14.

The World Landslide Forums are organized every three years to bring together scientists, engineers, practitioners, businesses, and policy makers from around the world to share progress on landslide risk reduction on a global scale.

The 6th World Landslide Forum is co-organized by the International Consortium on Landslides and the UNESCO Chair in Prevention and Sustainable Management of Geo-hydrological Hazards at the University of Florence, under the International Programme on Landslides (IPL) supported by five United Nations’ organizations (UNESCO, WMO, FAO, UNDRR, UNU) and four international scientific organizations (ISC, WFEO, IUGS e IUGG).

More than 1100 participants from more than 60 countries participate in general plenary sessions, parallel scientific sessions, technical exhibitions, workshops and other side events during the four days of the Forum.

The Forum is dedicated to Landslide Science for Sustainable Development to spread awareness that the adverse impact of landslides, together with other hazards, undermines efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations by 2030.

The General Conference on landslide risk reduction at the Opening Plenary Session addresses the latest strategies of the landslide community to help achieve the global targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. A Florence Declaration on Landslide Risk Reduction is adopted by the High-Level Panel Discussion in the first day.

We are particularly pleased to welcome you to the city of Florence, which was the cradle of the Renaissance of Arts and Science, and which still today is a cutting-edge city for science, culture, hospitality, and beauty.

Florence has also been affected in the past by severe natural disasters such as floods and landslides, which have caused enormous damage to its artistic and cultural heritage. Just in the first days of November the surroundings of Florence were hit by a severe rainstorm which caused floods and thousands of landslides, causing great damage to people, property, economic activities and cultural heritage. For these reasons, we consider Florence an ideal place to discuss the latest advances in research, technology, and policies to mitigate risks.

I wish the Forum a successful outcome and would like to thank the scientific committee, organizing committee, supporting organizations, partners, bodies that granted the patronage, and sponsors for their contribution and strong commitment to the Forum.

It is a special honor for me to inform you that the 6th World Landslide Forum has been awarded the Medal of the President of the Italian Republic, which is given to events of great scientific and cultural importance.

Yours sincerely and thank you again,

Nicola Casagli,
ICL President and WLF6 Chairman