Taiwan and US Renew Disaster Prevention MOU, Deepen Cooperation on AI Early Warnings and Risk Governance
Taiwan's National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR), under the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), has renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Pacific Disaster Center (PDC). The NSTC stated that PDC's DisasterAWARE platform provides near real-time, AI-enhanced, multi-hazard disaster information and smart alert services, and this partnership will continue to deepen substantive cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. in disaster prevention technology, early warnings, and risk governance.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 16:06
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The National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR), under Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), has renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Pacific Disaster Center (PDC). The NSTC stated that the PDC's DisasterAWARE platform provides near real-time, AI-enhanced, multi-hazard disaster information and smart alert services, and that the two sides will continue to deepen substantive cooperation in the fields of disaster prevention technology, disaster early warning, and risk governance.
In a press release today, the NSTC said it has long promoted disaster prevention technology research and practical applications, strengthening Taiwan's disaster resilience in the face of climate change, complex disasters, and cross-border risks through international cooperation. The NCDR recently formally renewed the MOU with the PDC in Honolulu, Hawaii, with NCDR Director Chen Hong-yu and PDC Executive Director Ray Shirkhodai signing on behalf of their respective organizations.
The NSTC noted that the PDC, managed and operated by the University of Hawaii, has long utilized disaster risk science, geographic information systems, and decision support tools to help enhance global early warning and response capabilities. Its self-developed DisasterAWARE platform, which provides near real-time, AI-enhanced, multi-hazard disaster information and smart alert services, is a critical support system for international humanitarian aid and response decision-making.
The NSTC stated that the NCDR and PDC are long-term key partners. Since establishing a formal cooperative relationship in 2008, they have renewed the agreement in 2014 and 2021, making this year's signing the fourth such document. Over the past 18 years, the two parties have maintained close cooperation with remarkable results in areas such as Pacific-region disaster prevention research, international disaster prevention training, and disaster management technology exchange.
According to the NSTC, the two sides will deepen cooperation in four core areas based on the MOU: early warning for complex disasters, risk and vulnerability assessment, information technology and decision support, and international disaster prevention capacity building.
Director Chen Hong-yu stated that this collaboration focuses on the substantive connection between the 'International Disaster Risk Technology Platform' and 'Taiwan's Disaster Reduction Science and Technology Support System.' Facing increasingly severe extreme weather and humanitarian aid needs, Taiwan must continue to strengthen its cross-border disaster information exchange capabilities. Through the MOU, Taiwan will share its outstanding monitoring experience with international partners.
Executive Director Shirkhodai pointed out that the PDC and NCDR have highly complementary advantages. They will continue to combine the PDC's global complex disaster risk intelligence with Taiwan's extensive practical experience in disaster monitoring and response to jointly promote more practical Asia-Pacific regional disaster prevention cooperation.
The NSTC expressed that international cooperation in disaster prevention technology is not only about scientific exchange but also about a shared responsibility in facing global disaster risks. Through the extension of this MOU, the two parties will move from knowledge exchange to joint research and development and practical application, working together to enhance the overall resilience of the Asia-Pacific region and the international community in the face of complex disasters.
In a press release today, the NSTC said it has long promoted disaster prevention technology research and practical applications, strengthening Taiwan's disaster resilience in the face of climate change, complex disasters, and cross-border risks through international cooperation. The NCDR recently formally renewed the MOU with the PDC in Honolulu, Hawaii, with NCDR Director Chen Hong-yu and PDC Executive Director Ray Shirkhodai signing on behalf of their respective organizations.
The NSTC noted that the PDC, managed and operated by the University of Hawaii, has long utilized disaster risk science, geographic information systems, and decision support tools to help enhance global early warning and response capabilities. Its self-developed DisasterAWARE platform, which provides near real-time, AI-enhanced, multi-hazard disaster information and smart alert services, is a critical support system for international humanitarian aid and response decision-making.
The NSTC stated that the NCDR and PDC are long-term key partners. Since establishing a formal cooperative relationship in 2008, they have renewed the agreement in 2014 and 2021, making this year's signing the fourth such document. Over the past 18 years, the two parties have maintained close cooperation with remarkable results in areas such as Pacific-region disaster prevention research, international disaster prevention training, and disaster management technology exchange.
According to the NSTC, the two sides will deepen cooperation in four core areas based on the MOU: early warning for complex disasters, risk and vulnerability assessment, information technology and decision support, and international disaster prevention capacity building.
Director Chen Hong-yu stated that this collaboration focuses on the substantive connection between the 'International Disaster Risk Technology Platform' and 'Taiwan's Disaster Reduction Science and Technology Support System.' Facing increasingly severe extreme weather and humanitarian aid needs, Taiwan must continue to strengthen its cross-border disaster information exchange capabilities. Through the MOU, Taiwan will share its outstanding monitoring experience with international partners.
Executive Director Shirkhodai pointed out that the PDC and NCDR have highly complementary advantages. They will continue to combine the PDC's global complex disaster risk intelligence with Taiwan's extensive practical experience in disaster monitoring and response to jointly promote more practical Asia-Pacific regional disaster prevention cooperation.
The NSTC expressed that international cooperation in disaster prevention technology is not only about scientific exchange but also about a shared responsibility in facing global disaster risks. Through the extension of this MOU, the two parties will move from knowledge exchange to joint research and development and practical application, working together to enhance the overall resilience of the Asia-Pacific region and the international community in the face of complex disasters.