Application – International Travel Support to Global Initiative
Opportunity for international travel support to the Global Initiative on Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions (until 2 November).
This application is only available on the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network (UCPKN) online platform until the end of 2 November 2025.
Introduction
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with the European Commission's DG ECHO, is organising a workshop on “Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions” that will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on 11 December 2025.
The workshop is hosted by the European Commission and includes a High-Level Panel with EU and UN representatives. It will be held in conjunction with the 3rd Meeting of the Global Initiative on Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions on 12 December 2025 at the same venue, SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre.
This initiative examines how AI can be effectively leveraged for disaster management, providing expert guidance and support for research, innovation, and facilitating the development of standards.
Leveraging AI for better prediction, rapid response, and effective recovery in the face of crises and natural hazards is at the core of our priorities. This High-Level meeting and workshop will bring together state representatives and experts, including leading researchers, disaster management experts, policymakers, and representatives from UN agencies or partners and EU institutions.
The need to highlight concrete steps on what needs to be built and what instruments can support in that development are crucial. Thus, following up on the previous AI for Preparedness workshop of June 2025, the overarching theme is Building Capacity on AI for Disaster Preparedness. We expect approximately 200 participants at the venue SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre.
See indicative agenda (opens in new tab)opens in new tab.
Application
A limited number of international travel sponsorships are available for nationals of or travelling from a country that is not considered high income in the World Bank classification for July 1, 2025–June, 2026.
You can apply via the EUSurvey form here by end of 2 November 2025 (Brussels time): https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/GlobalTravelAIforDRM
The Global Initiative will select applicants with the most fitting motivation and justification relating to capacity-building of AI, as well as according to balanced geographical and gender distribution by end of 5 November 2025. The sponsorship will cover your travel and accommodation to attend both days of the event. American Express will arrange them on behalf of the European Commission. A per diem or daily subsistence allowance (DSA) is not covered.
If selected, it is the responsibility of the participant to obtain a visa in order to enter and spend any time in Belgium as detailed in the practical document.