A tree-planting ceremony was held on Friday at Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas in Bandar Seri Begawan to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami and ASEAN Disaster Management Day 2024.
The event was attended by Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, who chairs the 12th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management.
Officials from the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management and representatives from the EU, the event’s sponsor, were also present.
During the ceremony, ASEAN Ministers responsible for Disaster Management, along with their Plus Three dialogue partners, participated in the tree-planting activity.
Additionally, the ASEAN Ministerial Statement commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami was officially launched.
This occasion served as a poignant reminder of the devastating tsunami that claimed the lives of 230,000 people across 14 countries, significantly impacting communities throughout Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region. — James Kon
