Declaration of ASEAN cooperation mechanisms on disaster risk management

On August 15 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA - Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), in collaboration with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) and with support from the EU-SAHA Project funded by the European Union, organized the “One ASEAN One Response Roadshow” program.

The program is an annual event organized by the AHA Centre in coordination with ASEAN member states, aimed at enhancing awareness, understanding, and support for ASEAN’s shared vision and common framework for regional disaster management.

The event gathered representatives from Vietnam’s ministries and agencies, along with delegates from the disaster management authorities of other ASEAN member states, the AHA Centre, the ASEAN Secretariat, as well as international and non-governmental organizations. It served to reaffirm the vision of “One ASEAN, One Response” and provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences related to national, regional, and international disaster prevention and response mechanisms.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Duc Luan, Director General of the VDDMA, said that in recent years, Vietnam’s disaster prevention and control efforts have made significant progress — from improving the legal framework, enhancing forecasting and early warning capacity, and strengthening the application of science and technology, to promoting international cooperation and mobilizing community participation. These efforts have helped reduce losses and improve community resilience to disasters.

“As the national focal point for participating in regional cooperation mechanisms on disaster risk management, the VDDMA strongly supports ASEAN and AHA Centre initiatives, including the vision of ‘One ASEAN, One Response,’” Mr. Pham Duc Luan emphasized.

Reaffirming his support for ASEAN’s regional cooperation mechanisms on disaster management in which Vietnam participates, Mr. Julien Guerrier - Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam, stressed that since 2020, the EU has always been ready to support regional disaster management initiatives, notably the ASEAN Regional Disaster Exercise (ARDEX), the development of the ASEAN Joint Disaster Response Plan (AJDRP), the operation of the AHA Centre Information Management Network (AIM-Net), and the “One ASEAN One Response Roadshow” program.

“These support activities demonstrate the European Union’s strong commitment to disaster risk management and to strengthening the capacities of countries in the region and around the world,” Mr. Julien Guerrier stated.

According to Mr. Sithu Pe Thein, Director of Operations at the AHA Centre, ASEAN is among the regions most affected by disasters worldwide. It faces challenges to its member states' response capacities and the spirit of coordination and mutual support.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami marked a turning point, spurring the establishment of a regional disaster management and emergency response mechanism. Events such as Cyclone Nargis in 2008 and Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 further tested these mechanisms, while reaffirming ASEAN Leaders’ commitment through the 2016 “One ASEAN, One Response” Declaration, which underscores that ASEAN responds to disasters as a unified bloc, both within and beyond the region.

“It is essential for stakeholders in each ASEAN member state to understand the regional mechanisms and their respective roles fully. At the same time, it is important to clarify how domestic actors can participate in and support regional disaster response. This is precisely the purpose of today’s ‘One ASEAN – One Response’ Roadshow in Vietnam,” Mr. Sithu Pe Thein stated.

During the program, delegates listened to in-depth presentations that provided an overview of Vietnam’s disaster prevention and control work; introduced ASEAN’s regional cooperation mechanisms and collective efforts in disaster risk management under the coordination of the AHA Centre; and outlined the United Nations’ participation in these regional frameworks. The event also featured interactive discussions, where participants exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and explored ways to strengthen coordination within the broader context of regional disaster management cooperation.

The ASEAN has established various cooperation mechanisms for disaster risk management, with a focus on strengthening early action and building resilience within the region. Key initiatives include the ASEAN Framework for Early Action in Disaster Management, the Ha Long Declaration on early action, and the ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster Management.