A-PAD Bangladesh held an international symposium in Dhaka on November 19, 2024, with over 200 participants. This year’s theme was “Climate Change and Risk Management Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Region: Towards a Disaster Resilient World,” and the symposium was co-hosted with the Bangladeshi NPO Community Initiative Society (CIS).

Stakeholders from the neighboring Asian countries who are involved in disaster relief in various fields during non-emergency time came together to share ideas for reducing disaster risks. The participants also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperative relationships so that they can work together in the event of an emergency to provide emergency relief and disaster prevention activities. 

The symposium began with an opening address by Mostafa Gholam, A-PAD’s Executive Director and Secretary General of CIS, followed by A-PAD Secretary General Kaori Neki (pictured below) who provided an overview of A-PAD’s activities in South Asia. Afterwards, Deputy Director Hafiz Amirrol of Mercy Malaysia introduced past collaboration cases, and senior government officials from Bangladesh spoke about integrating climate change adaptation into disaster risk management policies.

Ambassador Iwama Kiminori of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Bangladesh and First Secretary Kawai Koichi also joined the symposium. In his speech, Ambassador Iwama highlighted the shared challenge of natural disasters between Japan and Bangladesh, and emphasized the importance of preparation and collaboration. He praised the efforts of A-PAD, CIS, Dhaka Community Trust (DCHT), and other international organizations that have worked together to increase disaster resilience. He also expressed his hope that the networks between these organizations will continue to be strengthened to reduce disaster risk throughout the region.

Ambassador Iwama Kiminori ©︎CIS

In the panel discussion, 13 panelists from various sectors gave speeches. Yuji Ando, ​​Director of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Dhaka Office, spoke about the need to consider disaster prevention measures by private companies in disaster-prone countries as a common issue for both countries, and Mari Miura, Deputy Director General of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bangladesh Office, introduced JICA’s efforts to utilize the standby fund mechanism before a disaster occurs. 

After the symposium, a signing ceremony for the MOU for A-PAD Bangladesh was held, and 13 organizations became new members.