In a world of climate shocks and cascading risks, resilience depends not only on infrastructure but also on timely, shared information. When well-governed, data can become a powerful enabler of inclusive and effective responses.
The Roundtable: A Platform for Insight and Exchange
To explore how countries can leverage data for resilience, the World Bank’s Korea Digital Development Program (KoDi), with generous support of the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund ( KGGTF) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, organized a high-level roundtable in Seoul on May 29, 2025. The event brought together government leaders, digital specialists, and development practitioners to examine Korea’s experience and explore pathways for scaling shared data solutions across East Asia and beyond.
The roundtable was part of a broader program - supported by KGGTF and Korean partners - designed to help countries build green, resilient, inclusive, and data-driven digital systems. As one key component of this effort, the roundtable aimed to inform the development and dissemination of a new diagnostic tool for strengthening climate resilience such as the case of data-driven multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS).
Why This Matters
Countries face significant challenges in strengthening their early warning and disaster response systems, particularly where digital infrastructure is limited, and data systems are fragmented. The roundtable underscored that resilience starts with the ability to collect, integrate, and act on diverse data—from climate and mobility to health and socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
Korea’s experience illustrates how integrated data platforms and trusted governance can drive effective decision-making and targeted support. This is especially critical for low-capacity environments where traditional early warning systems may be out of reach.
Key Insights
- Shared Data Enables Precision: Countries with interoperable digital platforms are better positioned to protect lives and livelihoods. Real-time data helps governments respond faster and more equitably to shocks.
- Governance is Essential: Trust and privacy protections are foundational. Korea’s robust legal frameworks and institutional coordination provide a model for data sharing that is both ethical and effective.
- Scaling Requires Partnerships: From geospatial dashboards to integrated resilience platforms, digital tools must be adapted to local contexts. Scaling them calls for long-term investment, capacity-building, and strategic collaboration.
- Inclusion Strengthens Systems: Resilience is only meaningful when it’s inclusive. Engaging diverse users—from national agencies to vulnerable communities—ensures that data systems meet real-world needs.
Introducing the Diagnostic Tool
To help operationalize these insights, the World Bank—together with partners from Korea—is developing a diagnostic tool that guides countries in assessing and upgrading their early warning systems. Built on lessons from global good practice, the tool helps identify gaps, benchmark digital maturity, and chart a strategic roadmap for transitioning to data-driven MHEWS.
This tool has already been piloted in the Maldives and Sierra Leone, providing tailored strategies for each country to enhance their resilience.
What’s Next
As the diagnostic tool is refined and applied more broadly, the next phase will focus on supporting countries to embed these strategies into national systems and lending operations. The goal is to ensure that even in data-scarce environments, countries can deploy smarter, faster, and more inclusive crisis responses through a well-coordinated, integrated data-sharing ecosystem.
Watch the recordings of the “Advancing Resilience Through Shared Data” roundtable for more information.