Disaster management officials, experts from Asia-Pacific gather in Incheon to enhance disaster response

Disaster management authorities and pundits from the Asia-Pacific are currently gathered here in South Korea to address strategic cooperation against calamities.

Shin Ha-young reports.

Natural disasters, including floods and earthquakes, continue to threaten millions around the world and Asia-Pacific economies are no exception.

Amid these challenges, South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety is hosting this year's APEC meetings on disasters, in the western port city of Incheon from Wednesday, with disaster management officials and experts from across the Asia-Pacific participating to strengthen cooperation on risk reduction.

As part of the three days of meetings, the Emergency Preparedness Working Group convened on Wednesday to explore ways to strengthen practical cooperation, with a focus on digital tools for disaster risk management.

The Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to build on those discussions and work toward actionable policy steps and stronger joint responses to emerging threats.

"The key focus of this conference is to strengthen international cooperation in responding to complex disasters such as climate change and pandemics. With its advanced ICT capabilities, South Korea has a well-developed early warning system and is well positioned to contribute to global efforts, including the UN's Early Warning for All initiative."

Alongside the meetings, the interior ministry is partnering with New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency to conduct joint disaster drills, collaborate on research, and share information regularly to help reduce disaster risks.

"From an emergency management perspective, the knowledge and the advancements that Korea has are well in advance of New Zealand. We're really looking forward to understanding how we can share knowledge, and how we can share our experiences to make both countries stronger, particularly, as I said earlier, in the light of the changing hazard scape that we all face."

A disaster safety exhibition featuring Korea's latest technologies will be open through Sunday, highlighting the country's innovations and efforts to expand its presence in the global disaster-tech market.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.