Honourable Chairman
Excellencies from ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introduction
1. We cannot over-emphasise the impact that COVID-19 has had on our lives this year. Despite the challenges, Philippines, as the ACDM Chair of 2020, had led the ACDM with optimism and positivity. Let us give the Philippines a round of applause for their leadership. The region has persevered through the pandemic, and made significant progress towards achieving the ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster Management, that is, to be a global leader in disaster management.
Achievements Of ACDM 2020
2. Under the Philippines’ leadership, the ACDM successfully conducted two ACDM meetings, and today’s AMMDM meeting, through virtual platforms. The ACDM also adopted the ASEAN Declaration on the Strengthening of Adaptation to Drought and completed drafting the AADMER Work Programme 2021-2025, a substantial undertaking. We have officially adopted the Work Programme earlier today. This work programme outlines ASEAN’s priorities in the next five years to enhance key ASEAN mechanisms, and strengthen collaboration with international actors in the field of disaster management, emergency response, and humanitarian assistance to achieve the ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster Management.
Moving Forward in 2021
3. Singapore looks forward to taking on the role of ACDM Chair in 2021. Much work lies ahead of us to continue to fly the ACDM flag. We will focus on a few key areas.
4. Firstly, the ACDM will work with the AHA Centre to develop the AHA Centre Work Plan 2021-2025. This workplan would chart how the AHA Centre will continue to support the implementation of the AADMER Work Programme 2021-2025 and its priorities. Secondly, recognising the devastating impact that drought has on some ASEAN Member States, the ACDM will collaborate with other ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and relevant partners to develop the Regional Plan of Action on Strengthening Adaptation to Drought and take concrete actions to address the challenges posed by drought.
5. The ACDM Working Group on Global Leadership, co-chaired by Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, will also take on the task of rejuvenating the Joint Task Force to promote synergy with other relevant ASEAN Bodies on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief to enhance partnerships and cross-sectoral collaboration.
6. Singapore is committed to organising our two flagship programmes: the ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue in Disaster Management and the ASEAN Senior Executive Programme in Disaster Management. Singapore is also working with the ASEAN Secretariat to publish the “ASEAN Disaster Resilience Outlook”, which aims to conduct a mid-term review of the ACDM’s efforts, and surface new and emerging challenges and risks posed by the changing regional and global landscape.
Conclusion
7. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen – the work of the ACDM is extremely important for the ASEAN region. With better understanding of the disaster risks that we face and well-coordinated responses, we can reduce the impact of disasters on our region. Singapore looks forward to working with all ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretariat, AHA Centre, and partners in 2021, towards operationalising “One ASEAN, One Response”.
8. Thank you, and we look forward to your support.
