The ASEAN Disaster Management Committee Meeting Plus with China, Japan and Korea and the 5th ASEAN Disaster Resilience Platform (ADRP) were held yesterday at The Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong.
The three meetings were held separately, where the 7th ASEAN Disaster Management Committee Meeting with China was co-chaired by Director of the National Disaster Management Centre at the Ministry of Home Affairs Colonel (Rtd) Muhd Harrith Rashidi bin Haji Muhd Jamin and Deputy Chief of Mission and Political Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Brunei Darussalam Wang Haitao. The meeting marked an important step towards enhancing regional cooperation in disaster management with China, whereby the meeting focused on advancing disaster resilience and disaster risk reduction across the ASEAN region and China.
ASEAN member states, represented by disaster management organisations, China, the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Management (AHA Centre), also had the opportunity to review the progress of the ASEAN-China Disaster Management Work Plan, which showcased achievements and potential areas of cooperation.
Meanwhile, the 7th ASEAN Joint Japan Disaster Management Committee Meeting was also co-chaired by Colonel (Rtd) Muhd Harrith Rashidi and Director of International Cooperation at the Disaster Management Bureau of Japan Cabinet Office Murakami Takeo.
The meeting confirmed Japan’s continued support for the activities of the ASEAN Disaster Management Committee by encouraging cooperation between ASEAN public and private entities with Japan in disaster management. The cooperation serves as a basis for fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between ASEAN and Japan, especially in the field of disaster management through current projects and further to pave the way for several efforts or projects in the future.
The highlight of the meeting included several new activity proposals to implement the ASEAN-Japan Disaster Management Work Plan. Among the recommendations that followed is Japan’s capable support in the development of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER Work Programme 2026-2030), which is a progressive approach in regional disaster management cooperation.
The 6th ASEAN Disaster Management Committee Meeting with Korea was also held and co-chaired by Colonel (Rtd) Muhd Harrith Rashidi with Director General of International Administrative Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Security of Korea Park Yung-Suh. The meeting emphasised continuous commitment to regional cooperation in disaster management.
During the meeting, a number of progresses were presented particularly on the initiatives and projects that have been implemented, namely the Disaster Risk Management Capacity Building Programme for ASEAN Member States Project (D-CAB) and the ASEAN Standards and Certification for Disaster Management Specialists (ASCEND). Both projects are a collaborative effort between ASEAN and Korea to strengthen disaster risk reduction in the region. The three meetings confirmed the commitment of ASEAN Member States with China, Japan and Korea as a collaborative disaster management effort. It has also demonstrated the importance of unity and cooperation in building a region that is more resilient to disasters.
The 5th ADRP Meeting was held to provide meeting members with the opportunity to exchange best practices and experiences focusing on activities related to disaster management by relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies.
The meeting also provided a comprehensive overview of ongoing efforts in the areas highlighted through collaboration and further improvement.
Members of the meeting also discussed the 20th ASEAN anniversary to commemorate the Indian Ocean Tsunami which reflects the region’s resilience and progress in navigating disaster response and recovery over the past two decades.
The 5th ADRP Meeting confirmed the unwavering commitment of ASEAN member states and ASEAN sectoral bodies towards building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable region in the face of growing challenges and threats.
Through collaborative efforts and exchange of experiences, the platform will continue to serve as an important mechanism which was aimed at fostering cooperation, innovation and effective disaster management strategies.
