Vietnam prioritizes children and vulnerable communities in disaster risk reduction

On October 15, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in collaboration with the Government of the Philippines opened the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

The Vietnamese delegation attending the conference is led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep. The delegation includes Pham Duc Luan, Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention, along with representatives from relevant units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The 2024 APMCDRR marks the 10th Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, focusing on the overarching theme "Towards 2030: Strengthening Ambitions to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction in the Asia-Pacific Region". This significant event has drawn nearly 3,000 delegates from 39 countries across the Asia-Pacific, all participating in person to engage in critical discussions and collaborations.

Throughout the four-day program, attendees will delve into a variety of pressing issues. Key topics include practical solutions for enhancing financial support for disaster risk reduction initiatives, ensuring that no individual or community is left behind and establishing equitable and inclusive governance structures for disaster risk management. Additionally, the conference will address the importance of localizing strategies and resilience of urban and rural areas.

In his speech at the plenary session of the conference, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep shared insights about the impacts of Typhoon Yagi, which recently swept through Vietnam in September, as well as the international community's efforts to assist Vietnam in recovering from the aftermath of the disaster.

On behalf of Vietnam's disaster management forces, the Deputy Minister expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support received from countries in the Asia-Pacific region. He acknowledged their unwavering companionship and shared commitment during Vietnam's most challenging times, especially in the face of severe natural disasters.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that he and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approached the conference with a strong commitment to learn and share valuable experiences.

"Vietnam is actively working to connect with countries in the region, not only to seek partnerships in the endeavor of disaster risk reduction but also to find a common voice regarding disaster risk mitigation efforts for both the region and the global community", the Deputy Minister emphasized.

Additionally, the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development highlighted two key priorities in disaster risk reduction efforts. The first is to enhance community resilience, with a special focus on vulnerable groups, particularly children who are often the most affected by disasters. The second priority is to strengthen disaster resilience infrastructure, particularly by improving forecasting and early warning systems.

The Deputy Minister expressed his hope that Vietnam and the Southeast Asia region will soon make significant progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction by 2030.

Furthermore, Vietnam is dedicated to advancing initiatives within ASEAN, particularly by strengthening early actions in disaster management. The Deputy Minister highlighted that these efforts are essential to ensure that the "Halong Declaration" of 2023, issued by ASEAN Ministers on disaster management, leads to tangible and positive outcomes.

As a responsible member of the international community, and with the support of United Nations agencies and domestic development partners, Vietnam is ready to share its best practices and lessons learned from significant natural disasters. These insights are invaluable in helping countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond effectively respond to similar disasters.

Regarding the proposal to the UNDRR, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized the need for the United Nations, development organizations, and relevant funds addressing climate change and disasters to prioritize support for vulnerable countries. This helps vulnerable countries gain better access to financial resources, allowing them to develop useful programs and projects that empower future generations and enhance the resilience of communities at risk from the increasing impacts of natural disasters and climate change.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized that “natural disasters are anticipated to become increasingly severe and occur more frequently. This situation necessitates that individuals come together in solidarity and provide mutual support, enabling us to be stronger and more resilient when facing these challenges posed by natural disasters".