CO-CHAIRS’ SUMMARY REPORT OF
THE SIXTH ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING ON DISASTER RELIEF (ISM-DR)
1. Pursuant to the decision of the 13th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministers’ Meeting on
2. The Meeting was attended by delegates from
3. H.E. Mr. Li Liguo, Chinese Vice Minister of Civil Affairs,in his opening remarks, highlighted the importance of the Sixth ISM-DR in helping ARF participants share their best practices and successful experiences in the mobilization, utilization and management of disaster relief resources, and explore the framework, modality, and principles of the ARF disaster relief cooperation. He also stressed
4. The Indonesian ARF SOM Leader, H.E. Mr. Primo Alui Joelianto as Co-Chair, thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of
5. The Meeting adopted the Annotated Agenda of the 6th ARF ISM-DR as attached as ANNEX 4.
6. The Indonesian delegate briefed the Meeting on the humanitarian rescue and assistance activities after the Yogyakarta and
7. The
8. The
9. The Meeting was briefed by the Head of ARF Unit in the ASEAN Secretariat on the latest development of the ASEAN cooperation on disaster management and the possible elements of ARF Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on civil military coordination on humanitarian assistance,as discussed at the ARF Defense of Officials Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 27 July 2006. He highlighted the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response and the ASEAN Regional Program on Disaster Management. He also informed the meeting of the second ASEAN disaster emergency response simulation exercise to be held in
10. The Meeting noted the positive development of the disaster relief cooperation in the region and called for favorable efforts to carry on the momentum with concrete measures.
11. The Chinese delegate briefed the Meeting on the general practices of Chinese People’s Liberation Army in participating in the domestic emergency rescue and disaster relief operations, and the principles, laws and regulations that the military operation needs to observe.
12. The delegate from the European Union introduced the disaster monitoring, information and rescue mechanisms of the EU. He emphasized interoperability with the UN disaster management mechanisms and its effectiveness in using the existing assets. He also underlined that military resources should only be used in case that civilian resources proved insufficient. The Representative of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) briefed on the ECHO assistance efforts in the Asia-Pacific region, underlining the importance of the partnership and coordination among countries in disaster assessment and management, and reiterate the EU support to the enhancement of the regional disaster preparedness and the establishment of a tsunami early warning system. The presentation of the European Union appears as ANNEX 10.
13. The Japanese delegate elaborated on international disaster relief law and international disaster relief activities, including major operations by Japanese civilian teams and Self-Defense Force units. A briefing was given on the latest developments of the Tokyo Defense Forum (TDF) and the theme, objectives, and agenda of the 11th TDF to be held in
14. The Philippine delegate briefed the meeting on the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and Four Point Action Plan for Disaster Preparedness, which set the direction of the disaster management programs and activities of the country. He identified that certain resources, such as emergency response/search and rescue directory, civilian and military assets and disaster management expertise and technologies, may be possibly used for regional disaster management and relief operations, and underlined the important role played by the international community in supporting and complementing national and regional responses to disaster management and relief. The presentation of the
15. The delegate from
16. The Indian delegate elaborated the Indian national disaster management capabilities and its participation in the international disaster relief cooperation. He underscored that a multi-dimensional, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach involving diverse scientific, engineering, social and financial processes should be adopted to disasters and the disaster mitigation be integrated into the development process. The presentation of
17. The Australian delegate introduced its civil and military capabilities and tabled an inventory of assets for disaster relief. The other ARF members were encouraged to table the similar information with the view to compiling an ARF inventory of disaster relief capabilities. The presentation of
18. The meeting recognized that each country has the primary responsibility to respond to disasters occurring in its territory, but multilateral cooperation among countries and international organizations might play a vital role in supporting and complementing the national response to disaster management and relief. The participants expressed their readiness and commitment to participating in the regional and international disaster relief cooperation. It was stressed by many participants that external assistance or offers of assistance shall only happen upon the request of receiving states.
5.1 Expectations and Modalities of the ARF Disaster Relief Cooperation.
19. The Australian delegate introduced the initiative of an ARF disaster relief desk-top exercise proposed by
20. The Chinese delegate suggested that the ARF disaster relief cooperation modality should be open, specific, and evolutionary. The delegate went further to suggest that such a modality could be shaped by the following three steps: (i) the formulation of a framework that includes norms, rules, and procedures for disaster relief cooperation; (ii) the establishment of the regional database of disaster relief resources and capacities with Survey Forms of Domestic and Overseas Disaster Relief Resources and Capacities; (iii) the clear identification of cooperation directions by following the framework and database in the fields suggested by the ARF Statement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response. The presentation of
21. The Malaysian delegate gave a presentation on
22. The Singaporean delegate briefed the Meeting on the role of operational agencies in Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, and the challenges faced on the ground, with a focus on the operations by the SAF and the SCDF after the Indian Ocean Tsunami. The delegate then proposed that the ARF consider the sharing of best practices through workshops, dialogues, a directory of specialized experts and a list of disaster management procedures and manuals of ARF countries, identifying niche areas for cooperation in the fields of disaster relief, recovery and reconstruction, and the forging of practical cooperation between operational agencies through joint training and exercises. The delegate also expressed support for the desk-top exercise proposal by
23. The
24. The Meeting recognized the urgency of starting the ARF regional cooperation on disaster relief, and agreed that the ARF participants could identify some priority areas for cooperation,such as civil-military coordination, and the modality of cooperation should complement rather than duplicate the existing regional arrangements.
25. The Meeting noted a series efforts by the ARF participants to push forward a practical, effective, and orderly ARF disaster relief cooperation modality, including the draft of the ARF General Guidelines for Disaster Relief Cooperation and the Survey Forms of Domestic and Overseas Disaster Relief Resources and Capacities proposed by China, the Concept Paper of ARF Preliminary Concept on Standby Arrangement and Rapid Response System proposed by Indonesia, and the proposal for a ARF disaster relief desk-top exercise by Australia and Indonesia. The Meeting welcomed these new initiatives as valuable assets in moving forward the ARF cooperation to a more tangible stage, and agreed to discuss the proposals further.
5.2 Ways and Means for the International Organizations to Participate and Advance ARF Disaster Relief Cooperation.
26. The representative of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) elaborated the ADPC disaster relief cooperation with ASEAN and its support and participation in the past ARF disaster relief and disaster risk management cooperation. He recommended that disaster preparedness and disaster risk management be mainstreamed into the development cycle and emphasis be given to institutional development, public awareness, and training for disaster risk management. At the regional level, he highlighted the importance of capacity building and information sharing and suggested to build up regional coordination mechanisms such as hotline and website. The presentation is attached as ANNEX 22.
27. The delegate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) gave a presentation on the role of Red Cross and Red Crescent in disaster management. The presentation of the IFRC appears as ANNEX 23.
28. The meeting noted that coordination is vital in ensuring the rapid disaster response of the region. Some participants also stressed the role of NGOs in regional disaster relief and management endeavors.
5.3 Introduction of an ARF preliminary concept on standby arrangement and rapid response system.
29. The Meeting was introduced by the Indonesian delegate on the concept of ARF Standby Arrangement and Rapid Response System, with the goal of ensuring prompt response in times of emergency and a smooth and seamless deployment of relief efforts. The delegate also welcomed comments from ARF participants on this concept. The presentation of
30. The Meeting noted the importance of a standby arrangement and rapid response system within the ARF disaster relief cooperation, consistent with the on-going process of the ASEAN standby arrangement,taking into account of the United Nations’ guidelines, procedures and capacities in the area of disaster management. Many delegates expressed a desire that any new ARF standby arrangement and rapid response system should strengthen and enhance rather than duplicate existing international and multilateral disaster response systems. The Meeting also emphasized the importance of the ARF General Guidelines for Disaster Relief Cooperation as a basis for the rules of procedure of the ARF standby arrangement and rapid response system.
31. The Meeting emphasized the necessity of the coordinated time frame of deployment, and underscored the importance of updating ARF Disaster Relief focal points listed on the ARF website. A clear mandate, exit strategy, a clear work map, enlisting the help of other organizations, and a transparent system were also highlighted to be important in enhancing disaster response.
32. The Chinese delegate briefed the meeting on the formulation of the ARF General Guidelines for Disaster Relief Cooperation. The delegate pointed out that the Guidelines, which comprise of six parts covering the basic norms, rules, and procedures during the launch, implementation, and conclusion of disaster relief, will become the first ARF document spelling out the basic principles for regional disaster relief cooperation, and will serve the interests of all ARF participants and give an impetus to future cooperation. The delegate also hoped that the ARF participants could give their comments on the draft Guidelines and Survey Forms before the next ISG on CBM&PD in early November 2006.
33. The ARF unit of the ASEAN Secretariat encouraged the ARF participant to use the ARFNET Discussion Forum in continuing their communication of the proposals tabled at the Meeting and in following up the implementation of the ARF Statement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response.
AGENDA ITEM 7: ADOPTION OF CO-CHAIRS’ SUMMARY REPORT
34.
35. The Meeting adopted the Co-Chairs’ Summary Report of the Sixth ARF ISM-DR.
AGENDA ITEM 8: OTHER MATTERS
36. The participants, upon the conclusion of the meeting, participated in a field trip to the Qingdao Fire-fighting Brigade and watched the Exercises of Firefighting and Rescue organized specially for the meeting.
37.
38. The Meeting expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of
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