ASEAN Forges Stronger Multi-Stakeholder Partnership for Disaster Management

2010-06-21

ASEAN is forging stronger partnership with its Dialogue Partners, the United Nations, multilateral organisations, civil society and other stakeholders in building disaster-resilient communities and nations. In a Partnership Conference held in Makati today, the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) launched a Work Programme mapping out the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) for the next five years (2010-2015).

AADMER signifies ASEAN’s collective commitment and joint efforts in responding to disasters in the region and in reducing disaster risks more effectively. AADMER came into force on 24 December 2009 after all the ten Member States of ASEAN ratified the Agreement. The five-year Work Programme translates the provisions under AADMER into actions and supports the agenda of ASEAN to attain the vision of disaster-resilient nations and safer communities within the region.

The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) will serve as the focal point in monitoring and consolidating data on risk levels, analysing possible regional-level implications, and facilitating a rapid and well-targeted response to major disasters within the region.

The Partnership Conference was well attended by senior officials and disaster management and risk reduction experts from all ASEAN Member States, representatives from the United Nations, multilateral organisations, ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners, as well as representatives from the civil society and private sector.