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The Star
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean calls for joint natural disaster strategies as regional exercises kick off
PHNOM PENH: Senior Minister Kun Kim (pic) has highlighted how the Asean states are some of the region's most vulnerable to natural disasters, which severely impact lives, livelihoods and socio-economic development. He urged the implementation of comprehensive joint strategies to address these challenges. His remarks were made at the opening ceremony of the Asean Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise 2025 (Ardex-25), held at the Special Forces Command in Phnom Penh on Tuesday (July 22). 'Asean is highly susceptible to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis and storms. These disasters have caused severe impacts on lives, living conditions and socio-economic development. "These challenges require collective, wide-ranging approaches that go beyond the capacity of any single country,' said Kim, who serves as first vice-president of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) and is chairing Ardex-25. Speaking on behalf of Cambodia — a country which is vulnerable to such disasters — he underlined the importance of proactive preparedness and timely response. The Cambodian government has implemented a National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024–2028, a National Early Warning Map, strategic plans and various other policies to strengthen national disaster management capacities. He noted that the simulation exercises will significantly contribute to implementing Cambodia's national action plan and serve as a strong indicator of the country's commitment to Asean's socio-cultural community resilience through enhanced regional cooperation. Kim also recognised the critical role of the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) as a key operational mechanism that coordinates Asean 's collective disaster response efforts. He stated that Ardex-25 is not merely a simulation but a vital step in deepening the implementation of the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). He added that it is an essential opportunity to test the effectiveness of Asean's Standard Operating Procedures (SASOP) for regional readiness and coordinated disaster response. He expressed strong hope that this simulation would provide valuable lessons, laying the groundwork for further strengthening disaster management systems, sharing experiences, raising awareness and fostering closer bonds among Asean member states and international partners. This will help build a resilient Asean community, equipped with the resources, capabilities and protocols needed for rapid and effective response to emergencies — including search and rescue, humanitarian aid, joint assessments and efficient recovery efforts. The three-day regional simulation exercise, taking place from July 22 to 24, includes the participation of key figures such as Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of Asean, Kim Virak, secretary-general of the NCDM and chair of the Asean Committee on Disaster Management 2025 (ACDM 2025), Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador to Cambodia and Lee Yam Ming, executive director of the AHA Centre, as well as distinguished representatives from various ministries and embassies in Cambodia. Alongside them are senior officials from relevant ministries and institutions, foreign military attachés, Asean member states, Asean dialogue partners, development agencies, domestic and international organisations, and other stakeholders. Virak expressed appreciation for the presence of all delegates, saying it reflected a collective commitment to strengthen regional disaster response cooperation. He noted Cambodia's pride in hosting this major regional exercise. The exercise is also testing the Asean Standard Operating Procedure for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations (SASOP) and the terms of reference for the Asean secretary-general as the Asean Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator. Ardex-25 comprises of table top, command post and field training exercises. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
21-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Asean disaster simulation exercise begins amid Typhoon Wipha
PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Asean disaster management officials began conducting a simulation exercise on Monday to review standard operating procedures (SOPs) and improve the region's preparedness to face crises. This year's Asean Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX-25) is taking place against the backdrop of Typhoon Wipha having lashed parts of the Southeast Asian region since Sunday. The exercise is jointly organised by Cambodia's National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM) and the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management. ARDEX is a full-scale exercise held biennially to test Asean's disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms. The activities include preparation processes, search and rescue operations, impact assessment, and national-level immediate response strategies linked to Asean, to save the lives of disater victims. Typhoon Wipha made landfall in the Philippines and northern Vietnam over the weekend, causing panic and destruction of houses. Outside the region, China, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong have also suffered from Typhoon Wipha, which has unleashed heavy rainfall and disrupted flight schedules. ARDEX-25 is held from July 21 to 24 at the Special Forces Command Headquarters of the Royal Cambodian Army Force base in the Kandal province. According to the NCDM, the exercise is divided into two components - strategic and tactical. At the strategic level, the focus is on practising, evaluating, and reviewing guidelines and mechanisms to share and exchange information. At the tactical level, ARDEX-25 focuses on disaster rescue and relief operations. - Bernama
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean disaster management senior officials, experts gather in Cambodia to enhance regional cooperation
Senior Minister Kun Kim, First Vice-President of the National Committee for Disaster Management. - Photo: AKP PHNOM PENH: The 46th meeting of the Asean Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and related meetings kicked off in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Tuesday (May 20), discussing ways to advance regional collaboration and resilience. Cambodian Senior Minister Kun Kim, first vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), presided over the opening ceremony of the four-day event, which brought together Asean disaster management senior officials and experts, as well as Timor-Leste as an observer, said an NCDM press release. Representatives from Asean dialogue partners, namely China, Japan, and South Korea, also participated in the regional meeting, the press release added. The event reaffirmed ACDM's commitment to enhancing regional disaster resilience and to further strengthening partnerships with relevant stakeholders, it said. ACDM serves as a regional platform for enhancing cooperation among Asean member countries focused on disaster risk reduction and management, enhancing resilience and preparedness for disasters through capacity building and exchange of good practices. "The ACDM has increasingly contributed to the coordination and proactive approach to disaster management to enhance the safety, well-being and resilience of communities across the Southeast Asian region through the implementation of the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response," the press release said. Asean (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - Xinhua
