At the first gathering of its kind on the role of science in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, over 750 scientists, policymakers, business people, and practitioners met in Geneva from January 27–29, 2016. The UNISDR Science and Technology Conference on the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 featured experts from some of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. The conference brought together a diversity of science and technology community from all geographical regions, international partners and scientific disciplines, and a wide variety of other stakeholders including policymakers and nongovernmental organizations to discuss the barriers and opportunities to reducing disaster risk and loss in the coming 15 years. Attendees contributed to a lively and dynamic debate, including on social media using the hashtag #science4sendai and reporting blogs from many of the organizations represented. The Sendai Framework (UNISDR 2015a), agreed at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan in March 2016, was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 3 June 2015. It places unprecedented emphasis on the role of science and technology in disaster risk reduction and calls for a strengthening of networks, platforms, and research institutions, a refocus on research into disaster risk patterns, and examining causes and effects. Its goal is to ‘‘prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk through the implementation of integrated and inclusive economic, structural, legal, social, health, cultural, educational, environmental, technological, political and institutional measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for response and recovery, and thus strengthen resilience’’ (UNISDR 2015a, Paragraph 17). The organizing committee of the conference, which included members of the UNISDR’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG), brought the wide range of stakeholders together to launch the UNISDR Science and Technology Partnership and the UNISDR Science and Technology Road Map to 2030 (UNISDR 2015b). The Road Map presents the expected outcomes under each of the four priorities for action outlined in the Sendai Framework, and proposes key actions that the UNISDR Science and Technology Partnership can undertake to fulfil the expected outcomes and to achieve the goal of the Sendai Framework. It also highlights ways for monitoring progress and reviewing needs. Both the Road Map and the Partnership were supported by the conference participants as promising ways forward to 2030. The conference discussions were arranged into four work streams that looked at opportunities to work & Virginia Murray virginia.murray@phe.gov.uk