APEC Disaster Officials Rally for Joint Action as Regional Risks Escalate
As disasters grow more frequent and complex across the Asia-Pacific, senior officials from APEC member economies convened in Incheon for the 2025 APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum (SDMOF), calling for urgent, collective action to reduce disaster risks and protect lives.
The forum, held under the theme “Advancing Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific: Partnerships for a Resilient and Prosperous Future,” focused on strengthening coordination and resilience in the face of increasingly complex threats. From climate extremes and aging populations to rapid urbanization, the region’s risk landscape is growing more multifaceted, outpacing the capacity of any single economy to respond alone.
“Disasters today cross borders and present transboundary risks that demand collective responses across the APEC region,” said Park Cheon-soo, Director General of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Republic of Korea. “In this context, solidarity and cooperation among member economies, in other words, partnership, is no longer optional, but a prerequisite for effective disaster risk reduction.”
Director General Park urged delegates to move beyond disaster recovery and invest in systems that prevent and mitigate risk.
Throughout the forum, officials engaged in crucial policy session on emerging risks, early warning systems, multi-layered governance and technology for disaster leadership.
Officials also discussed the fundamental concept, different types and management strategies regarding emerging risks. They also explored to better mobilize private sector capabilities and harnessing emerging technologies to strengthen multi-level governance and leadership during disaster response.
In his closing remarks, Director General Park acknowledged the progress made in disaster preparedness and response, but emphasized that future challenges require renewed ambition and high-level commitment.
He called on each member economy to develop whole-of-society implementation capabilities aligned with their priorities and domestic contexts, foundations essential for the region’s prosperity.
Director General Park also reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to sharing expertise and resources, including advances in ICT-based early warning systems and integrated disaster management.
Officials emphasized the need to translate the forum’s discussions into concrete actions and deeper collaboration, positioning the dialogue as a springboard for future progress.
“Disaster risk reduction is not only about enhancing our ability to respond to disasters, but also crucial for ensuring prosperity across economic, social and environmental dimensions,” Director General Park concluded. “Trust-based cooperation among APEC economies is essential for advancing disaster risk reduction.”
