GEM Governing Board Approves New Public Sponsorship Scheme and Elects Vice Chair

By:

Dec 17, 2024

Dec 6, 2024

GEM’s Governing Board convened for its Winter Meeting on 5–6 December 2024, marking a significant step forward in the organisation's mission to strengthen global resilience against earthquake risks. The meeting, held in Pavia and virtually, brought together board members, public and private sponsors and partners, and GEM Secretariat staff to discuss governance, evaluate ongoing activities, and chart strategic priorities for 2025.

A key highlight was the approval of a revised public sponsorship scheme aimed at enhancing inclusivity and collaboration. The updated structure introduces a tiered system, providing flexible public sponsorship options to ensure that the public sector can continue to play a meaningful role in shaping GEM’s work. The changes also include provisions for in-kind sponsorship opportunities, allowing public entities from low- and middle-income countries to join the Governing Board. This initiative is expected to balance public-private collaboration, which has been a cornerstone of GEM’s operations since its inception. Keep an eye out for more information about the new scheme in early 2025.

Another key development was the election of Daniela Di Bucci of Italy’s Department of Civil Protection as Vice Chair of the Governing Board. Daniela brings extensive expertise in earthquake science, disaster risk reduction and public policy to her new role. She succeeds Sonia Talwar of the Geological Survey of Canada, who served as Vice Chair for over three years.

“Daniela’s appointment comes at a critical juncture as we expand our global partnerships and implement the new public sponsorship framework,” Helen stated. “Her experience will be invaluable in driving these efforts.”

GEM Secretary General Helen Crowley expressed gratitude for Sonia’s contributions, noting her leadership in advancing GEM’s strategic objectives.

Reflecting on her tenure, Sonia added, "It has been an honor to serve as Vice Chair of GEM’s Governing Board for the past three and a half years. GEM’s collaborative work with NRCan and the global community has driven critical advancements in seismic hazard and risk research. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to seeing GEM continue to address shared challenges and build resilience globally."

The meeting concluded with a call for renewed commitment from GEM’s partners to address the evolving challenges of seismic risk. The Secretariat presented updates on key projects and activities and outlined plans to expand outreach efforts through increased engagement with public sector stakeholders.

With the revised public sponsorship scheme and a renewed leadership team, GEM continues to position itself as a trusted partner in seismic hazard and risk reduction, offering cutting-edge tools and insights to support safer, more resilient communities worldwide.

To learn more about GEM’s ‘past, present, and future’ programs, download the paper: “A Brief Overview of the Past, Present, and Future of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation”.

No images found.

GALLERY