QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Philippines will host the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) for the first time from October 14-18, 2024, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Over 4,000 high-level delegates from 69 countries, comprising Member States; intergovernmental, international, national, and civil society organizations; the private sector; the scientific, technological, and academic communities; and different stakeholder groups will gather for this event.
The 2024 conference theme “Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction” emphasizes the urgency of strengthening regional efforts to ensure a safer future for all.
According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), a partner of the Philippines in hosting the event, the APMCDRR is the main platform in Asia and the Pacific to monitor, review, and enhance cooperation for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 at the regional level.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga will deliver the welcome remarks for the event.
Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez and Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of the UNDRR, will deliver the keynote addresses.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will host a ministerial reception at Malacañang Palace on Monday evening.
The President, who has been championing disaster resilience and risk reduction under his administration, will then lead the grand opening ceremony on Tuesday.
The APMCDRR’s objectives are the following:
• Review the progress in implementing the Sendai Framework and the Asia-Pacific Action Plan 2021-2024 for Implementation of the Sendai Framework.
• Strengthen existing and forge new networks and partnerships across international, national, and local levels, fostering the exchange of best practices and knowledge.
• Promote the integration and mainstreaming of DRR across all relevant sectors, ensuring that risk reduction becomes a core component of planning and decision-making processes.
The expected outcomes from the conference include the following:
• A renewed and strengthened commitment by Member States and stakeholders toward DRR in Asia and the Pacific, with a specific focus on inclusion, particularly engaging youth, persons with disabilities, the private sector, women’s groups, and civil society in the DRR agenda.
• Identification of measures related to increased investments, domestically and internationally, including through multilateral and bilateral mechanisms for disaster risk reduction
• Formulation of recommendations focusing on sustainable development, finance, inclusive DRR, climate action, and international cooperation.
Anticipating the magnitude of the movement of people in relation to the conference, Malacañang suspended government work and classes at all levels in the cities of Pasay and Manila on Oct. 14 and 15.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) ordered the implementation of a gun ban in Metro Manila for the duration of the summit.
“With more than 2,593 police personnel deployed across key locations in Metro Manila, the NCRPO has established multi-layered security protocols. These include suspending permits to carry firearms outside residences from October 14 to 18. Security forces will also be positioned at event venues, tour venues, and accommodations for international delegates to prevent potential disruptions,” said NCRPO.
“Only members of the PNP, AFP, and other law enforcement agencies who are performing official duties and wearing their agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms,” it added.
For its part, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said a stop-and-go scheme will be implemented along the routes from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the billeting hotels in Pasay, Manila, and Makati, and then to the PICC and Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex on Oct. 14 to 19.
Magdalena Jalandoni Street inside the CCP Complex will also be closed to vehicular traffic during this period, the MMDA added. (PIA DMD)
