October 15, 2024 (Pasay City) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), hosted by the Philippines in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

In his remarks, President Marcos Jr. expressed his pride in the Philippines’ leadership in developing an international legal instrument for the protection of persons in the event of disasters.

“This endeavor aims to fill critical gaps in international disaster response law, uphold the pride and dignity of affected individuals, establish clearer obligations, and enhance humanitarian coordination,” said President Marcos Jr.

The APMCDRR runs from October 14 to October 18, 2024, serving as the primary platform in the Asia-Pacific region for monitoring, reviewing, and enhancing cooperation in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 — a global blueprint for preventing and reducing disaster risks in the world’s most disaster-prone regions. The inter-agency committee for the 2024 APMCDRR was co-chaired by the Department of National Defense (DND), through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to engage with local, regional, and global partners in disaster risk reduction, under the leadership of President Marcos Jr.

“We have empowered our local government units (LGUs), who are often in a better position to address the needs of their communities. We have also enhanced cooperation among different government agencies, leveraging their respective expertise in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery,” said the DND chief.

The conference brings together governments, intergovernmental and international organizations, civil society, the private sector, the scientific community, academia, and other stakeholder groups to accelerate progress in disaster risk reduction. The APMCDRR 2024 is anchored on the theme “Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction,” which aims to provide a valuable opportunity to review ongoing efforts, share innovative solutions, and make actionable commitments to accelerate disaster risk reduction by 2030.