The 4^th International Symposium of Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) Sri Lanka was held in Hilton Colombo on 22nd November 2017. The theme of the Symposium was “Urban Resilience: Building Inclusive and Competitive Cities Amidst Disasters”. Around 200 people participated as a representative of government, private sector, civil society, NGO / INGO, diplomats, military officials and the media.

In the recent years, disasters have occurred frequently in Sri Lanka and there is a deep concern that the damage would expand in the near future.  Thus, in such circumstances it is essential to organize and prepare in advance to respond to any disaster situation by developing into a more inclusive and competitive city through an urban construction and continuous business planning. A-PAD Sri Lanka, which was founded in 2014, has tried its best to fulfill the role of linking the public and private sectors of humanitarian assistance through development process and corporate social responsibilities. A-PAD has been responding immediately to such disasters both in and outside the country. In between 2016 to 2017, more than 700,000 Sri Lankans were massively affected by heavy rain floods, sediment-related disasters, landslides, and great economic loss. The A-PAD members from Japan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have shared the same affection and concern related to reducing the disaster risk in Asia Pacific Region with an immediate response.

The Minister for Disaster Management (Anura Priyadarshana Yapa) as a Chief Guest, Minister of Policy Planning Economic Development (Dr. Harsha De Silva) has addressed the keynote speech in the Symposium. Also, the Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka (Kenichi Suganuma), A-PAD CEO (Kensuke Onishi) also gave a keynote lecture. In the Symposium, private and government representatives will further discuss the role of the private sector, for the urban planning and the business continuity. Nearly 200 participants, participated in the Symposium and gave thanks to A-PAD crating such kind of opportunity to bring all the stakeholders at the place and for the great opportunity to share their knowledge with each other.