The ARW has the main objective of providing a forum to discuss and elaborate on the innovative and applicable means of disaster risk management and reduction in cities, focusing particularly on large cities in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The ARW aims to address the practical constraints and opportunities of a risk mitigation planning process to institutionalize sound disaster risk management practices in cities. The process of planning for disaster risk reduction in ways that acknowledge the complexity, dynamics, and interdependencies involved in initiating change in the practices and procedures of the Tashkent, Bishkek, Tbilisi, Yerevan and Baku cities will be examined. The primary issues aimed to be encompassed are:

   Understanding urban earthquake risk and developing preparedness programs, planning and implementation strategy.

   Identifying strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for capacity improvement earthquake risk mitigation programs and building a sustainable infrastructure for dealing efficiently with their seismic risks.

   Risk information and communications for earthquake early warning and rapid response.

    Large scale programs for rehabilitation and earthquake retrofit of physical elements at risk.

    Physical urban planning and building code enforcement.

   Risk transfer mechanisms, compulsory earthquake insurance.