CIS and A-PAD organized an international symposium on “Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Sustainable Development” in Dhaka on Thursday, January 13. Local partners of A-PAD Bangladesh – universities and public and private sector entities followed COVID-19 health guidelines.

In the welcoming address, Prof. Mahmuder Rahman, coordinator of DCHT, commented, “If we don’t act now, it will be too late to make a better place for the future generation. We should emphasize not only disaster management, but disaster prevention.”

Mr. Ito Naoki, the Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, addressed in his remarks, “Both Japan and Bangladesh are not the largest countries, have few natural resources, and are disaster-prone countries. The relationship between Bangladesh and Japan is not unilateral but mutual cooperation. Through mutual support, our close ties can become even stronger”.

In the panel discussion session, panelists from the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, and the private and academic sectors shared valuable ideas and experiences.  The theme focused on “Impact of climate change on sustainable development” and “Strengthening community resilience to improve disaster risk management.” 

Participants commented, “Facing the reality of climate change and the pandemic,　effectively coordinated multi-sector cooperation is crucial,” and “To improve community resilience in disaster management, we must continue to obtain information and disseminate using modern technology”.

At the end of the symposium, a signing ceremony with the local partners was held and 12 NGOs from 7 divisions signed to join the A-PAD Bangladesh National Platform.