Singapore, 23 August 2024: The 9th ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management 2024, held in Singapore from 22–23 August, brought together key stakeholders from across the region to address pressing challenges in disaster risk reduction and resilience building. The event, themed ‘It Takes a Village: Inclusive Approaches to Enhance Disaster Resilience,’ served as a platform for exchanging insights and exploring innovative, community-led disaster solutions.

Participants delved into multifaceted approaches rooted in people-centred principles to strengthen inclusivity and build resilience throughout the ASEAN region. Highlighting the devastating impact of natural disasters, Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs of Singapore, emphasised the need for collective action and collaboration amongst governments, civil society organisations, and communities. ASEAN Member States aim to ensure that no one is left behind in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts by fostering inclusive approaches.

In his opening remarks, Dato Seri Seia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Home Affairs and Chair of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM), underscored the importance of community-driven initiatives in enhancing disaster resilience. Organised around four thematic topics, the dialogue addressed the role of local communities in identifying and addressing specific needs and vulnerabilities, as well as the application of technologies in implementing early warning systems and evacuation plans.

The dialogue also explored the potential of technology and innovation in disaster management. ERIA’s Senior Research Fellow, Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, contributed to discussions on the use of digital tools for early warning systems, data collection and analysis, and remote sensing technologies. He emphasised the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in improving disaster prediction and response capabilities.

The 9th ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and building a more resilient ASEAN. The dialogue's outcomes will inform future policy development and implementation in disaster management across the region. It also provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholders, international organisations, and national disaster management authorities to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in disaster and climate risk management. By adopting inclusive approaches and leveraging technology and innovation, the ASEAN region can enhance its resilience to natural and climate-induced disasters, thereby protecting the lives and livelihoods of its people.