In photo, the Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Ambassador Nicolas Brühl briefly discusses the upcoming Global Multi-Stakeholder Forum to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in June 2025. The forum will gather stakeholders to review the progress on the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
Joining Amb. Brühl on stage are Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Kamal Kishore. (Photo courtesy of Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction PH Facebook page)
MANILA, (PIA) — The 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) concluded on Thursday, October 17, with key themes emerging from the discussions.
“Not all hazards need to become disasters,” Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said, underscoring the importance of local and risk-sensitive financing.
Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga and United Nations Special Representative Kamal Kishore also outlined other key takeaways during a closing press conference.
One of the major themes was the need for increased financing for disaster risk reduction. Participants discussed various funding sources, including national budgets and private sector contributions.
The role of local governments in disaster response was another key topic. Research presented at the conference highlighted the importance of local-level actions in effective disaster risk reduction.
Private sector engagement was also emphasized, with increased participation from businesses and a focus on fostering public involvement in disaster risk issues.
Inclusivity was a central theme, with discussions on ensuring that marginalized groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples, are actively included in disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Finally, the conference addressed the interconnectedness of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Participants explored strategies for integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts with disaster risk reduction measures.
Secretary Loyzaga emphasized the importance of local and risk-sensitive financing in building resilience. She also called for a collaborative approach across sectors and levels of governance to effectively address disaster risks.
The conference concluded with a commitment to release a comprehensive summary of the discussions and recommendations, providing guidance for future efforts to enhance disaster resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. (PIA-NCR)
