Participants at the meeting. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Đức

QUẢNG NINH — The ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) convened its 43rd annual meeting in the northern city of Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh Province on Monday under the chair of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp.

In his opening remarks, the deputy minister said that Việt Nam, holding the rotary chairmanship of the committee this year, will continue to commit to actively and responsibly participating in regional disaster management activities within ASEAN.

He expressed confidence that with determination, scientific approaches, and the support of international partners and friends, ASEAN will build a strong and united community leading in global disaster management.

The meeting discussed the implementation of decisions by relevant high-level leaders; updates on the results of the implementation progress of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme for 2021-2025; presenting the Hạ Long Declaration on enhancing early action in ASEAN regional disaster management to the Ministers' Meeting for approval.

The conference will also deliberate on the financial regulations of the ASEAN Disaster Management and Emergency Response Fund; the responsibilities and powers of the ASEAN Secretary-General in the role of Humanitarian Coordinator for ASEAN; cooperation content and agreements with partners such as China, Japan, South Korea, and updated results of implementing ASEAN regional disaster management activities.

Previously, at the 42nd annual meeting of the committee held in June in Đà Nẵng City, practical results were achieved in disaster prevention and response, from assessment and monitoring, prevention, response, to risk reduction, and strengthening disaster resilience.

The 42nd meeting amended the financial rules of the AADMER Fund to mobilise resources from the community and be ready for early action against disasters; organised emergency response exercises in the ASEAN region and implemented technical support activities, discussions, and coordinated Timor-Leste's participation in ACDM meetings and capacity-building activities.

As part of the 43rd annual meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management, several activities are planned, including bilateral meetings between the committee and countries such as China, Japan, South Korea; the 19th meeting of the AHA Centre’s Governing Board; the 4th ASEAN Disaster Resilience Platform; the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM) and AMMDM meetings with China, Japan, and South Korea.

On October 13, an event to commemorate ASEAN Day on Disaster Management and International Day for Disaster Reduction in 2023 will be held at Bãi Cháy Primary and Secondary School. — VNS