Giriraj Amarnath

Giriraj Amarnath

Giriraj Amarnath is a Principal Researcher in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience and the Interim Deputy Director of the CGIAR Climate Action Science Program at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. With over 24 years of experience, he has led climate resilience and adaptation initiatives across 25+ countries, working with governments, NGOs, communities, and the private sector.

Currently, he spearheads an innovative climate resilience program focused on anticipatory action to mitigate climate shocks. His work integrates climate risk insurance, satellite-based monitoring and early warning systems, emergency response, digital innovation, disaster risk reduction, and climate-smart food and water security solutions. He is also co-developing an AI-enabled chatbot for flood and drought mitigation, leveraging near real-time Earth observation data and human-centered agricultural contingency planning.

Giriraj holds a Ph.D. in Applied Remote Sensing and Natural Resources Management and serves as a Visiting Professor at the Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics in Pune, India. He has authored over 120 research publications spanning climate services, agriculture, disaster risk management, and natural resources management.

Share this speaker
Share This Speaker
  • Organization
    International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Sri Lanka
  • Profession
    Principal Researcher – Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience & CGIAR Interim Deputy Director for Climate Action
Related sessions
In personAI and environmentAI and cities 
8 July 2025
14:00 - 17:15
EST - New York
CST - Beijing
PST - Los Angeles
AWST - Perth, Australia
In an era where climate change, urbanization, and population growth...