AMMDM is the most important annual event on disaster management cooperation at the ministerial level within ASEAN and forms part of the 2025 external affairs agenda of the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. This year’s meeting focused on reviewing the implementation progress of regional initiatives and cooperation programmes under the AADMER framework, while discussing directions to strengthen disaster response capacity in the face of increasingly severe climate change impacts. It also served as an opportunity for ASEAN member states to reinforce solidarity, share experiences, and reaffirm ASEAN’s pioneering role in disaster risk management at both regional and global levels.
Speaking at the meeting, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep noted that natural disasters in the region are becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable due to the impacts of climate change. From late July to early October, Viet Nam was successively affected by typhoons Wipha, Bualoi, and Matmo, as well as severe post-storm flooding, which caused heavy losses in lives, property, and infrastructure. He expressed sincere gratitude to the governments and peoples of ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA) Centre for their timely assistance and solidarity with Viet Nam in overcoming the consequences of these disasters.
On October 15 and 16, two relief shipments from the DELSA regional stockpile in Malaysia were transported to Ha Noi before being distributed to Cao Bang, one of the most severely affected provinces. This support stands as a testament to the spirit of “One ASEAN, One Response”, consistently reaffirmed by the region’s leaders.
Under the theme “20 Years of AADMER Implementation: ASEAN Vision for Global Leadership in Disaster Resilience”, this year’s meeting marks nearly two decades of cooperation, reflecting ASEAN’s vision of global leadership in disaster response and risk reduction. With unity, equitable cooperation, mutual respect, and shared benefits, ASEAN countries are fully capable of enhancing their resilience, overcoming the challenges of climate change and natural disasters, and advancing toward sustainable development and shared prosperity across the region.
