Indonesia, for instance, is increasingly grappling with the risks of forest and peatland fires, exacerbated by extreme weather events. (Photo: Hum News)

Southeast Asia, despite its rapid development, is among the regions most susceptible to the escalating severity and frequency of natural disasters. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific reports annual economic losses averaging 86.5 billion USD due to these disasters in the area.

The 2023 Southeast Asia Climate Outlook, published by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in September, underscores that nearly half of the ASEAN populace is acutely aware of the grave threat posed by climate change to their daily lives. This comprehensive report points out that the most substantial impacts of climate change currently being felt in the region include flooding, extreme heat, and droughts.

Significant mechanisms of cooperation

The morning of December 26, 2004, marked a pivotal moment when a massive 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra's northern coast triggered a tsunami, impacting 14 countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka. This disaster, claiming 230,000 lives, catalyzed the establishment of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). This agreement provided a robust legal basis for regional collaboration, technical assistance, and resource mobilization in disaster management and emergency responses.

Following this, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) was instituted, enhancing ASEAN countries' coordination and cooperation capabilities. The AHA Centre also serves as the official liaison with United Nations organizations and other international entities in disaster response efforts.

The AHA Centre runs the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADInet), which provides an up-to-date database of all natural disasters reported in the region. This database is used by the AHA Centre’s Disaster Monitoring and Response System (DMRS) for analysis and disaster alerts and freely shared between member states. The AHA Centre also conducts regular executive courses and joint civilian and military training on disaster management for ASEAN members.

Since its formation in 2003, the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) has continually broadened its cooperation with external partners, including UN agencies, multilateral financial institutions, and NGOs. This expansion underscores ACDM's commitment to international collaboration aimed at bolstering regional resilience to disasters.

One of ASEAN's top priorities is disaster risk reduction, in line with the objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. This commitment underscores ASEAN's focus on not only mitigating the immediate impacts of disasters but also on developing long-term strategies to reduce the risk and severity of future events.

Vietnam's crucial role and responsibilities

In 2023, Vietnam proudly assumed the chairmanship of ASEAN cooperation in disaster management. As part of this role, Vietnam hosted the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management, alongside ACDM meetings and numerous related activities.

Under Vietnam's proposed theme, "From Response to Early Action and Enhanced Resilience: ASEAN's Journey to Global Leadership in Disaster Management," the focus was on shifting ASEAN's disaster risk management approach from reactive to proactive early actions. This shift demonstrates an increasing commitment to innovative methods in disaster management and risk reduction.

ASEAN Ministers and Deputy Ministers at the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, on October 12, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

The 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM), held in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province, from October 8-13, endorsed the "Ha Long Declaration on Early Action in ASEAN Disaster Management." This declaration reaffirms the ASEAN disaster management ministers' commitment to strengthening the implementation of early actions in regional disaster management, especially focusing on the three main pillars of risk information, forecasting, and early warning systems; planning, operation, and execution; and promoting allocated financial resources.

The meeting also focused discussions on the direction of activities for the AHA Centre’s Governing Board in the near future, the financial regulations of the AADMER Fund, and the recognition of the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Sustainable Resilience, which was adopted at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia in early September.

Vietnam's engagement in ASEAN cooperation, particularly in disaster management, continues to reflect its "active, proactive, and responsible" approach. Vietnam aspires to showcase its leadership within ASEAN, not only in security and economic domains but also in socio-cultural aspects, particularly in safeguarding communities against natural disasters.