Post-2015 AADMER Strategic Policy Dialogue

The ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) came into force in December 2009 with the objective of establishing and enhancing regional cooperation in responding to disasters and reducing disaster losses in the region.

Over the past five years, the AADMER Work Programme has laid a strong foundation in enabling the ASEAN Member States to successfully implement several key initiatives, such as the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) in November 2011. The AHA Centre has played an important role in coordinating responses for various major disasters in the region.

With the five-year AADMER Work Programme coming to a conclusion this year, the Post-2015 AADMER Strategic Policy Dialogue was held earlier today at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel to chart the way forward for the next five years. Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, delivered the opening address. The event was attended by more than 70 officials from the various ASEAN Member States, including the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Mr Le Luong Minh.

In his opening address, Minister K Shanmugam said that the landscape of humanitarian assistance in disaster management is one that is constantly evolving and requires a sustained collective effort by all ASEAN Member States. Minister K Shanmugam added that regular interactions and discussions such as today"s dialogue among ASEAN Member States would help advance humanitarian assistance and disaster response to a new level.

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, delivering the opening address at the event.

Minister K Shanmugam (centre), with ASEAN Secretary General Mr Le Luong Minh (on his right) and Mr Eric Yap, Commissioner SCDF (on his left), and delegates from the ASEAN Member States.