ASEAN, EU promote collaboration in disaster management

Representatives from the AHA Centre and the EU’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations sign an agreement in disaster management. (Photo: asean.org)

Jakarta (VNA) - The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and the European Union’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations on October 17 signed an agreement to further strengthen cooperation in disaster management between ASEAN and EU countries.

The signed agreement will allow both regions to exchange knowledge and best practices, exchange experts, and develop training programmes in the field of disaster management.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs Nararya S. Soeprapto said that this cooperation will enhance the strength and capacity of both organisations in disaster management and humanitarian assistance. It serves as evidence of the development and strengthening of the ASEAN-EU relationship across various dimensions.

The agreement is proof of how concrete, results-orientated cooperation can strengthen disaster management and emergency response efforts on different sides of the world, he said. Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said the EU is proud to have been a longstanding partner of ASEAN and the AHA Centre. Over the years, the AHA Centre has become a knowledge hub on disaster management in ASEAN./.

VNA