BANGKOK, 24 June 2014 – Government ministers and top disaster management officials from 63 countries around the world as well as Thai delegates are gathering at the 6th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR).
The conference, taking place at the Bangkok Convention Center, highlights several activities including a field trip to visit water management projects under the royal initiative of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. There is also an exhibition that introduces innovations, achievements and initiatives in disaster risk reduction.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn said the conference provided a good opportunity for government ministers and top disaster management officials to discuss and exchange ideas, which would likely result in collaborations and solutions on disaster risk reduction for Asia-Pacific.
Held under the theme of “Promoting Investments for Resilient Nations and Communities”, the priorities agreed on at the conference will be tabled for consideration at the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, in March 2015.
According to Mr. Chatchai Phromlert, Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), this conference provided Thailand a great opportunity to demonstrate its capability and readiness in joining other member states in Asia-Pacific to drive collaborations on disaster risk reduction and build the region’s populations’ resilience to disasters.
At this early stage of the conference, priority has been given to investment for sustainable development gains in reducing disaster risks, including enhancing resilience at local levels, the private sector’s role and investment, and government policies on disaster risk management.
