BUILDING A RESILIENT FUTURE:
THE AHA CENTRE FORGES NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH ADRC AND JICA
In October 2023, the AHA Centre and Japan strengthened their partnership through the signing of two Memorandums of Intent (MoIs) with the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Kobe, Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The two MoIs were established to promote, facilitate, and strengthen regional and international cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction and emergency response. Executive Director of the AHA Centre, Mr. Lee Yam Ming, Executive Director of ADRC Mr. SASAHARA Akio, and JICA Chief Representative to ASEAN Mr. YASUI Takehiro participated in the Signing Ceremony held in Ha Long, Viet Nam at the 19th Meeting of the AHA Centre Governing Board.
The event was witnessed by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development H.E. Le Minh Hoan, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-cultural Community H.E. Ekkaphab Phanthavong, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan H.E. HORII Manabu, and Members of the AHA Centre Governing Board.
The AHA Centre and ADRC have agreed to promote cooperation in the areas of disaster risk reduction and emergency response, enhancement of the qualifications of ASEAN experts and specialists, and the facilitation of learning and exchange between interregional organisations. Moreover, this agreement aims to introduce innovative information and communication systems in monitoring, prevention, and assessment of disaster risks in ASEAN.
Meanwhile, the AHA Centre’s cooperation with JICA will focus on promoting effective emergency response preparedness and prevention. This includes areas such as strengthening of AHA Centre capacity including in disaster information management, improvement of AHA Centre training programmes (e.g. ASEAN-ERAT courses), and the promotion of knowledge and experience sharing in disaster management. To ensure the implementation of this collaboration, a JICA team expert will be deployed to the AHA Centre.
The joint collaboration between the AHA Centre, ADRC, and JICA marks an important milestone in the 50 years of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation. Not only that, but it also sets a model for interregional partnership to tackle global challenges in disaster management. With the enduring support of Japan, AHA Centre and ASEAN Member States are positioned to enhance the region’s disaster response capabilities, towards a safer, more resilient ASEAN.
Written by: Gladys Respati | Photos by: AHA Centre
