Illustrative image (Source: AFP/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - The 4th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Research and Development Forum on “Building disaster resilience to climate-related hazards in Southeast Asia” has been held virtually with support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).
The webinar brought together experts and officials from the ASEAN member states to discuss the trends and issues on climate-related hazards in Southeast Asia and the policy solutions that can emerge to build disaster resilience.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), Ekkaphab Phanthavong, highlighted that climate change is contributing to the rise of risks and vulnerabilities for countries and communities in ASEAN. He urged more attention to innovative adaptive approaches and cross-sector cooperation to mitigate these risks. The official underlined the need for better mobilisation of local actors and cutting-edge technologies, suggesting that innovative financing could be a powerful tool.
Dr Saut Sagala from the Resilience Development Initiative said that in addition to the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Disaster Platform to enable cross-pillar and cross-level coordination, it is essential for ASEAN to foster the youth’s contribution, establishing a network of media professionals, and enhancing disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recoveries.
Dr Iffah Farhana Abu Talib from Universiti Teknologi MARA highlighted the changing disaster risk landscape in ASEAN due to climate change. Several existing frameworks and recent development in climate damage and loss assessment were also discussed including the Making Cities Resilient 2030 and the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund from the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).
Dr Mizan Bisri from Resilience Development Initiative called for the mobilisation of applied technologies to advance a smart early warning early action in ASEAN as well as investment in frontier analyses and technologies.
In her closing remarks, Director of International Cooperation Section of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Thailand, and Chair of ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), Pannapa Na Nan, urged multisectoral cooperation in considering and realising the recommendations. She invited ASEAN Sectoral Bodies to join the ASEAN Disaster Resilience Forum in 2023 and to work together to help ASEAN emerge stronger from the current and future crises./.
