Asia-Pacific meet on disaster risk reduction starts

THE Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction begins today, October 14, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the first time the country is hosting the biennial event.

To run until Friday, the conference is the main platform in the region for monitoring, reviewing and enhancing cooperation in disaster risk reduction, as prescribed by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

The framework calls for «the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries,» according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

«This gathering will bring together stakeholders from across the region to strengthen cooperation, share best practices, and develop policies to help mitigate the devastating effects of natural disasters, especially those exacerbated by climate change,» President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during the 44th Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos, last week.

This year's conference has the theme «Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction.»

More than 4,000 delegates from 69 countries are expected to discuss ways to enhance disaster risk reduction strategies, adopt best practices from other countries, and fast-track mitigation programs.

Marcos will host a ministerial reception in Malacañang on Monday night before leading the grand opening ceremony the next day.

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Classes and government work in Manila and Pasay will be suspended from October 14 to 15 in anticipation of the «numerous participants expected to travel to and within» the two cities.

Agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness and response to disasters and calamities, and/or performance of other vital services are not covered by the suspension.

Private companies will have the discretion to call off work during the duration of the conference.

On Sunday, the National Capital Region Police Office ordered a gun ban enforced in Metro Manila for the duration of the meet.

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The Quezon City