International Symposium on ‘Climate Change and Emergency Management Challenges for Asia Pacific: Towards a Disaster Resilience World’ held

Community Initiative Society (CIS) and Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) jointly organized an International Symposium on “Climate Change and Emergency Management Challenges for Asia Pacific: Towards a Disaster Resilience World” in Dhaka on 19 November 2024.

The symposium was held in connection with “Strengthening Capacity for Sustainable Disaster Management Network by involving multi-sectoral platform” as a partnership between leading disaster management organizations that are in a strong position to tap and build upon multi-sector platforms in the region which is being jointly implemented by CIS and A-PAD, according to a press release. 

The symposium covered a discussion on the importance of exploring the intersection of climate change and emergency management like shifting from risk to resilience and navigating climate crisis through innovative disaster strategies.

Mr. IWAMA Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh was the chief guest of this international symposium and appreciated the overall programs arranged by A-PAD Bangladesh & CIS.

He discussed the collaborative contribution of Japan & Bangladesh governments for disaster management and the understanding of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation to disaster-prone communities.

The international symposium started with a welcome address from Md Golam Mostofa, Executive Director, CIS.

Ms. Kaori Neki, Director and Head of Management Office Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster gave an overview of A-PAD activities in the South-Asia region.

Mohd Hafiz Bin Mohd Amirrol, Deputy Executive Director, Mercy Malaysia pointed to implementing Asia-Pacific Best Practices: Learning from Regional Experiences in Climate and Emergency Resilience. 

Md. Sabirul Islam Biplob, Additional Secretary from Government discussed integrating climate change adaptation into disaster risk management policies.

Prof Quazi Quamruzzaman, Chairman, CIS, A-PAD & DCHT shared his experiences on DRM and discussed the role of the community in the DRM sector and multi-sector involvement for sustainable development.

The panelists of the symposium were Mr. Yuji Ando, Country Representative, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Bangladesh, Ms. Mari Miura, Senior Representative,  Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Takeshi Komino, General Secretary, Church World Service (CWS), Japan, Mr. S B Zaman, Senior Executive Director, Karnaphuli Group, Mr. Shams Mansoor Ghani , Assistant Professor, Post Graduate Program, Department of Disaster Management, Brac University, Mr. Muhammad Ferdaus, Coordinator, Disaster Management, Brac University, Dr. Tasneem Arefa Siddiqui, Professor, Department of Political Science, Dhaka University, Mr. Rubaiyat Jamil, Board of Director, MCCI and Managing Director, ICE Technologies Limited, Khandaker Mohammad Ashraful Alam, Assistant Vice President & Head of Branch, Bank Asia, Dr. Najmus Sakeb, SRS scholar (USA), Takeda Spine Scholar (Japan), Associate Professor, Dhaka Community Medical College and Hospital, Asso. Prof. Dr. Tahmina Parvin, DCMC, Md Golam Mostofa, Executive Director, CIS, and other participants of the symposium were from the International and Local Platforms including from A-PAD member countries, Universities, NGOs and stakeholders from Government of Bangladesh, A-PAD partners, private Sectors, civil society and members of CIS & DCH Trust.

The international symposium was moderated by Sadia Samad Mou, Dr. Md. Fuadul Islam & Dr. Omar Sharif Ibne Hasan.

The 3-hour-long symposium ended with a vote of thanks.

The participants were interactive and also vowed to bring about a change in the situation. Overall, there was an atmosphere to establish a Disaster Risk Reduction Network among various stakeholders and share experiences on disaster risk management, the release adds.