The 45th ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) meeting continued at The Empire Brunei yesterday with separate meetings with its dialogue partners from Japan, China and South Korea, representing an important step towards enhancing regional and international cooperation in disaster management.
Director of the National Disaster Management Centre Colonel (Rtd) Muhd Harrith Rashidi bin Haji Muhd Jamin chaired the meetings with dialogue partners, Director of Disaster Management Bureau at the Cabinet Office of the Japanese Government Katsuhiko Kita; Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Rescue at the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management Liu Shun Zhang; and Director-General of International Administrative Cooperation Bureau at the South Korean Ministry of Interior and Safety Park Yung Suh.
The chair emphasised the importance of ASEAN cooperation with dialogue partners in disaster management efforts to foster unity and cooperation in building a more disaster resilient region.
During the 8th ACDM Plus Japan meeting, the ACDM chair reaffirmed Japan’s continuous support for ACDM activities by encouraging cooperation between ASEAN public and private entities and Japan in disaster management.
The long standing cooperation serves as a foundation to foster strong and mutually beneficial relationships between ASEAN member countries and Japan, particularly in disaster management through current projects, paving the way for future initiatives and projects. The meeting also discussed proposals for new activities to implement the ASEAN-Japan Work Plan on Disaster Management. Japan’s support for the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work programme 2021-2025 also represents a progressive approach to regional disaster management cooperation.
Meanwhile, during the 8th ACDM Plus China meeting held online, the chair focused on advancing disaster resilience and risk reduction across the ASEAN region and China.
During the 7th ACDM Plus Republic of Korea (ROK) meeting, discussions included enhancing disaster resilience and response capabilities in the ASEAN region and South Korea. Key discussions included updates on ongoing projects to implement the ASEAN-ROK Work Plan on Disaster Management. Several project updates were presented during the meeting, particularly regarding those implemented, including the Disaster Risk Management Capacity Building Programme for ASEAN member states (D-CAB Project), the ASEAN-ROK Capacity Development Programme levering Advanced Science, Technology and Innovation for Disaster Resilience and the ASEAN Standards and Certification for Experts in Disaster Management (ASCEND). The projects represent collaborative efforts between ASEAN and South Korea to further strengthen disaster risk reduction.
With a shared commitment to enhancing resilience and response capabilities to disasters, the meetings with dialogue partners served as a platform for deeper and open discussions on critical issues and to review progress. – James Kon
