20 Oct 2017
20-Oct-2017
Source: ASEAN Secretariat News
ASEAN pledges stronger commitment for disaster management
LUANG PRABANG, 20 October 2017 – A series of high level meetings on disaster management, including the 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management, 6th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, and the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management (ADDM) concluded yesterday in Luang Prabang. The theme for the meetings was “Safe and Resilient Communities for a Resilient ASEAN.”
The opening was graced by Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR Dr. Bounthong Chitmany, ASEAN Ministers in charge of Disaster Management, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and the Governor of Luang Prabang.
Deputy Prime Minister Chitmany acknowledged that ASEAN’s cooperation in disaster management has proven to be effective and satisfactory. He expressed confidence that with the leadership of the ASEAN Ministers in charge of disaster management, the region will achieve a joint agreement leading to the effective implementation of action lines on disaster management enshrined in the ASEAN Vision 2025, thus contributing to the ASEAN Community building process.
Secretary-General of ASEAN Le Luong Minh commended the theme of the ASEAN ADDM, and stated that the ADDM will continue to be a milestone in which ASEAN officials in charge of disaster management will work with local communities to enhance awareness and institutionalise disaster risk management from local to regional level. He added that the event reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment and belief in a comprehensive and coherent response to disasters through multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approaches so as to build a people-oriented, people-centred community with enhanced capacity for resilience and inclusion.
At the sidelines of the 2017 ADDM celebrations, Lao PDR organised an exhibition showcasing the good practices, publication and tools on inclusive disaster management and risk reduction in the region. The ministers and SG Minh concluded the commemorations by releasing fish in the Mekong River in front of the Xiengthong temple for good fortune, prosperity and in celebration of life.
Link to the Chairman’s Statement of the Meetings.