On 23 March 2016, the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI) successfully concluded the "Open Discussion Forum: GADRI Projects and Activities" at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Collaborative Research Hub - 3F, Kyoto University, Japan.

The Forum was held in conjunction with the First Meeting of the GADRI Board of Directors and was attended by 55 participants from 18 countries representing various institutions and governmental agencies.

Opening remarks was delivered by Prof. Manabu Hashimoto, Secretary, Natural Disaster Research Council, Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University followed by a keynote lecture delivered by Mr. Kaoru Saito, Director, International Cooperation Division, Disaster Management Bureau, Japan Cabinet Office on "SFDRR 2015-2030 and Roles of S&R Entities and Networks". The final Panel session included officials from various governmental institutions such as Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and so forth.