IHRR
Apr 11,2025
Participation Report: South Asia Drone Forum 2025
The Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR) participated in the South Asia Drone Forum 2025, held from April 9 to 11, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu, Nepal. The forum was organized under the Nepal Drone Ecosystem Acceleration Program (DEAP) with support from the Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF) and implemented by the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Nepal. Representing IHRR, Er. Vivek Dumre attended the event, which brought together policymakers, experts, and practitioners from across South Asia to advance the regional drone ecosystem through dialogue, technical exchange, and collaboration.
The forum provided a comprehensive overview of drone technology’s current landscape, with focused discussions on regulatory evolution, safety, privacy, certification, and operational guidelines. A key emphasis was placed on the need to harmonize drone regulations across South Asian countries to foster regional cooperation, especially for cross-border drone applications in disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental conservation. Sessions led by experts from civil aviation authorities addressed the importance of establishing standardized policies, including clear frameworks for UTM systems, BVLOS operations, and data governance.
A wide range of drone use cases were presented from participating countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Pakistan, demonstrating applications in disaster preparedness, post-disaster assessment, agriculture, transport, tourism, and healthcare delivery. These case studies offered valuable insights into context-specific challenges and solutions. The event also featured a technology exhibition where drone startups, service providers, and research institutions showcased innovative hardware, software, and service models shaping the industry.
IHRR’s representative, Mr. Dumre, took part in a Design Thinking Workshop, collaborating with other regional participants to develop a drone-based solution within a limited timeframe. Additionally, sessions on drone data analytics, AI integration, and robotics fusion highlighted the growing role of intelligent systems in enhancing drone capabilities. Discussions around business model development, career pathways, and capacity building provided valuable guidance on strengthening the ecosystem through youth engagement and institutional partnerships.
Overall, IHRR's participation in the South Asia Drone Forum 2025 offered an enriching opportunity to engage with emerging trends in drone technology, foster cross-border partnerships, and explore innovative applications relevant to risk reduction and sustainable development. The insights and networks gained through the forum will contribute to IHRR’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced technologies into resilience planning and DRR initiatives.
