MANILA, (PIA) — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and His Excellency Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, held a closing press conference Thursday, October 17, following the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The conference, which ran for three days, brought together representatives from nearly all countries in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on deep, meaningful discussions about disaster risk reduction (DRR).
“It’s been a wonderful event, with not just the numbers but also the quality of conversations being extremely engaging,” said Kishore, noting the significant participation from youth and local governments.
During the press conference, Kishore outlined five major themes that emerged from the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024.
First, he noted a “significant shift toward discussing financing for disaster risk reduction.” This includes exploring various funding sources, such as national budgets and contributions from the private sector.
Second, Kishore emphasized the “critical role of local government involvement in disaster response.” Research presented at the conference indicated that successful disaster risk reduction efforts will largely depend on actions taken at the local level.
The third theme highlighted was “private sector engagement,” as the conference saw increased participation from private businesses, with several offsite events designed to foster public engagement on disaster risk issues.
Kishore also underscored the importance of “inclusivity,” focusing on ensuring that marginalized groups—such as women, persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples—are actively included in disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Finally, he spoke about the need for a “convergence of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.” This theme involved concrete discussions on how to integrate strategies for disaster risk reduction with efforts to combat climate change, ultimately enhancing regional resilience.
Kishore noted that these discussions were framed by the opening address from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, October 15, which set a high ambition for the conference.
Secretary Loyzaga, meanwhile expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host such a pivotal event, acknowledging the Philippines’ vulnerability to disasters and the need for proactive measures.
“Not all hazards need to become disasters,” she said, underscoring the importance of local and risk-sensitive financing.
She reiterated the need for interconnectedness and coherence in disaster risk management, emphasizing that “the fight will be won at the local level.”
Loyzaga called for a collaborative approach across sectors and levels of governance, stressing the importance of identifying synergies as the world moves toward 2030.
Both leaders affirmed their commitment to following up on the conference outcomes and ensuring that the insights gained will translate into actionable strategies for disaster risk reduction across the region.
The conference concluded with a promise to release a comprehensive summary of the discussions and recommendations, aiming to guide future efforts in enhancing resilience against disasters in the Asia-Pacific region.
For more information on the conference and its outcomes, please visit the official APMCDRR website. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
