Forum Explores Innovative Technologies for Climate Change Monitoring and Disaster Mitigation
Bishkek, December 12, 2022 – Due to the urgent need to protect life and property from climate disasters, the forum “Application of innovative technologies in monitoring and forecasting climate change and natural disasters” was successfully held in Bishkek. The event brought together some 100 local and international experts, government representatives, policy makers and stakeholders to discuss innovative information and communication technologies for sustainable development in the face of alarming climate change forecasts.
Mr. Shaazdan Tyumonbaev, Deputy Head of the Monitoring and Analysis Department of the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, began the forum with a thought-provoking introduction, highlighting the urgent task of climate change mitigation and its impact on the sustainable development of the Kyrgyz Republic. In response, experts, scientists and politicians have stressed the importance of using available technologies to mitigate climate change.
Mr. Bolot Moldobekov, Co-Director of the Central Asian Institute of Applied Geosciences, made a presentation on “Natural Hazardous Processes and Monitoring Systems”, in which he spoke about the efforts and initiatives taken by the country to mitigate the consequences of natural disasters. Kyrgyzstan, a geographically vulnerable region, faces numerous hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, mudflows and avalanches. The presentation discusses the existing monitoring infrastructure, the geographical areas monitored, the special sensors installed in the field, and the implications of the data observations.
Talant Sultanov, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Kyrgyz chapter of the Internet Society (ISOK), in his presentation “ICT for Disaster Resilience” noted how “bottom-up” initiatives, using the example of the Kyrgyz chapter of ISOC, helped solve problems with Internet connectivity for countries without landlocked or unaffected by sanctions, on the example of Kyrgyzstan.
The event emphasized the role of observations, research and forecasting in the prevention of natural disasters, and emphasized the importance of data collected from various monitoring stations. Among the many innovative technologies discussed, LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) data transmission technology for the Internet of Things (IoT) stands out. This technology allows “smart” sensors to track performance in real time, analyze data and transfer it to servers for further processing.
An impressive feature of LoRaWAN technology is its ability to operate autonomously and wirelessly for up to 10 years without a power source, making it an ideal solution for climate monitoring stations in remote or difficult areas. The lack of wiring simplifies the implementation process while remaining cost effective for widespread adoption. Ermanno Pietrocemolli, expert at the International Center for Theoretical Physics. Abdus Salam, spoke in detail about Lorawan technology for various purposes. Marco Zennaro, on behalf of ICTP, demonstrated past lorawan sensor installations and how the ICTP team transmitted data using traditional unlicensed spectrum up to 400 km.
Distinguished speakers from government departments, research institutes and industry shared valuable insights during the forum. The reports covered a wide range of topics, including climate change monitoring, the CAIAG (Central Asian Institute of Applied Geosciences) monitoring system, the creation of a secure IoT infrastructure using LoRaWAN technology to prevent emergencies in the mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan.
Participants had the opportunity to engage in lively discussions and ask questions of the experts during special Q&A sessions. Topics such as wireless technologies for the Internet of Things, the pros and cons of LoRaWAN technology were carefully studied, which shed light on the huge potential and practical considerations of these new solutions.
The forum concluded with a comprehensive debriefing and concluding remarks highlighting the critical role of innovative technologies in disaster monitoring and prevention. Participants left with a renewed commitment to harness the power of technology for sustainable development and climate resilience. At the request of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, two points in the Boom Gorge were added to the list of pilot areas where automatic weather stations and sensors should be installed.
The forum “Application of innovative technologies in monitoring and forecasting climate change and natural disasters” served as a catalyst for knowledge sharing, cooperation and promotion of effective strategies to combat climate change and protect life and property. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as LoRaWAN, the global community can pave the way for a more secure and sustainable future.
For more information about the forum and its results, please visit https://isoc.kg or contact project coordinator Aziz Soltobaev, [email protected]
Press contact: Talant Sultanov, Chairman of the Kyrgyz branch of the Internet Society, [email protected]
