President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received praise and recognition from international leaders for the Philippines’ successful hosting of the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Minister Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).
The country’s hosting of the prestigious conference earned admiration from no less than the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction and head of United Nations Office for the Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Kamal Kishore.
“You’ve set a new benchmark for the Asian Ministerial Conferences on Disaster Risk Reduction,” Kishore said during the event’s closing ceremony a week ago.
The UN official commended President Marcos for his “personal involvement and commitment” to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
“Your commitment is an inspiring example for leaders across the world,” Kishore added.
It was the first time the Philippines hosted the APMCDRR which was held in Pasay City from October 14-18. The conference was previously held in China, India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia, and Australia.
To show his support for the conference, the President hosted a dinner for the delegates in the Malacanan Palace and attended its opening ceremony last October 15.
The APMCDRR is the main platform in Asia and the Pacific to promote coordination and cooperation on disaster risk reduction and to monitor, review and enhance cooperation for the implementation of the Sendai Framework 2015-2030 at the regional level.
It is a biennial conference that convenes governments, international and national institutions, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders to collectively address challenges and reduce disaster risks.
With the theme “Surge to 2030: Enhancing ambition in Asia-Pacific to accelerate DRR,” the conference focused on sharing of lessons learned, identifying innovative ideas and practices to reduce systemic risk and cascading impacts, identifying practical financing opportunities for countries to reduce disaster and build resilience, and advancing climate and disaster resilience, risk-informed development and humanitarian response preparedness. PND
