Manila: Indonesia, chair of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) in 2026, called for a regional policy shift from disaster risk reduction to long-term sustainable resilience, urging stronger international cooperation to better prepare Southeast Asia for future crises. Speaking at the 48th ACDM and Related Meetings in Bandung on July 29, Director General for ASEAN Cooperation at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Ina Krisnamurthi emphasized the necessity of broad international partnerships to enhance the region's capability in disaster anticipation and response.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ina Krisnamurthi stated in a ministry statement that cooperation between ASEAN and its partners should go beyond emergency response to establish a shared framework for resilience. "Without cooperation, sustainable resilience cannot be realized," she said. The meeting, themed "From ASEAN to Global: Strengthening Community Preparedness and Leadership for Sustainable Resilience," concentrated on improving the use of disaster risk data to support faster, coordinated responses before crises escalate.
National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Principal Secretary Rustian highlighted that the effective implementation of the 2026-2030 ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme was critical to ensuring resilience initiatives deliver tangible benefits for communities. "Sustainable resilience must be a practical and cross-sector framework for ASEAN action," Rustian said, adding that community-based preparedness supports the goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
As ACDM chair, Indonesia plans to bolster regional early warning systems, including the ASEAN Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Preparedness System (AMPD), while promoting sustainable investment to enhance disaster preparedness and local response capacity. The meeting brought together representatives from the 10 ASEAN member states and nine dialogue partners: Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, New Zealand, Russia, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
International organizations such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN Development Programme, the International Organization for Migration, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center participated in the discussions.
