ASEAN strengthens cross-sectoral coordination to achieve resilience in disaster management

NAY PYI TAW, 4 October 2019 —  The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministers reiterated the need for enhanced cross-sectoral coordination and the adoption of holistic approach in their collective efforts in disaster management at the annual meetings held in Myanmar this week.

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi said, “ASEAN has collectively achieved many milestones, yet much remains to be done to strengthen our resilience.” He added, “ASEAN strives to foster a culture of resilience and care for the environment to prevent disaster risks.”

ASEAN countries are located in one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, frequented by earthquakes, floods, landslides and typhoons, as well as human-induced disasters. The wide geographic stretch of incidences and increasing frequency of disasters require ASEAN to enhance our readiness and emergency response capacity.

The 7^th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management and the 8^th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) constitutes the last segments of the 4-day meeting held on 1-4 October. The series of meetings were preceded by commemoration of the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management which was opened by the Vice President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Henry van Thio.

The meetings discussed priorities for the subsequent Work Programme for AADMER, as the current programme will conclude in 2020. The meetings also reviewed the deliverables of ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and exchanged views in advancing disaster risk reduction and management in the region.