Marcos: Partnerships crucial in regional disaster risk reduction

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said partnerships among countries in the Asia Pacific region can build an adaptive, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable region in disaster risk reduction.

Marcos delivered his speech during the courtesy and ministerial dinner for the delegates of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction being held in Manila.

“Through this conference, we are presented with the opportunity to explore new avenues for collaboration, especially in leveraging science and technology to alleviate the impact of climate change and ensuring that disaster risk reduction financing is accessible to all.” Marcos said.

“By harmonizing all of our efforts, I trust we can build an Asia Pacific region that is truly adaptive, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” he added.

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the conference has stakeholders such as the government, private sector, and academia to accelerate progress in reducing disaster risk.

“The increasing frequency and severity of natural hazards call for deeper innovation, for closer cooperation, and for sustained commitment from all of us,” Marcos said.

The Philippines is a ‘lighthouse’

Kamal Kishore, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction,  described the Philippines as a “lighthouse” in the work of disaster risk reduction.

“It’s a lighthouse which will give inspiration to countries not just in the Asia Pacific but beyond the Asia Pacific to across the world,” Kishore said.

The UN official said the Philippines focuses on the local level, specifically its communities, works across sectors, and engages with civil society.

“We have interacted with children and the level of awareness and enthusiasm that they have. It is just infectious. When you are with those children, you feel so hopeful of the future of not just us but also generations to come,” Kishore said.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News