The last time I attended an ASEAN event on disaster management was in 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was the workshop on developing the ASEAN Joint Disaster Response Plan, aimed at strengthening coordination and cooperation among ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), and other actors when it comes to disaster response. Back then, I was one of the very few private sector participants.
So, when I received the invitation to join the inaugural ASEAN Disaster Resilience Forum in Singapore, I immediately wondered who else from the private sector would be there. For me, returning to the region presented an opportunity to reconnect with peers, make new connections in the disaster management space, and, more importantly, challenge myself to reflect on how we can bring this discussion to another level. It would also be the first time I attended representing the OCHA/UNDP Connecting Business initiative (CBi).
Attending the ASEAN Disaster Resilience Forum in Singapore
Hosting the first ASEAN Disaster Resilience Forum in a global hub like Singapore, under the auspices of the ASEAN Secretariat, the AHA Centre, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, signalled a significant step forward. But being back also meant self-reflection. As someone who is from the region, I asked, "What do we really want to achieve here?" We owe it to the communities we serve, to ourselves, to entire ASEAN community, and to our partners to elevate our approaches to disaster risk reduction and management. While the region is considered highly exposed and vulnerable to natural hazards, it is also known for pioneering innovative disaster risk reduction and management strategies and approaches.
I had the honour of speaking on the panel on public-private partnerships and exploring synergies for a more disaster-resilient ASEAN. CBi Member Network representatives, Rene “Butch” Meily from the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and Suryani Motik from the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (KADIN), also spoke, emphasizing CBi's regional presence. Carl Schelfhaut from the Deutsche Post DHL Group spoke about their Getting Airports Ready for Disasters programme and Takeo Murakami representing the Cabinet Office of Japan and the Secretariat of Japan International Public-Private Association for Disaster Risk Reduction talked about finding the right private sector partners (or “connoisseurs”) who can help better understand how the business community works in disaster management. Our discussion, led by renowned Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood from Sunway University, delved into concrete examples and insights, promising follow-up conversations. Finally, we had Prof. Rajib Shaw from Keio University, Japan and the Asia Pacific Science and Technology Advisory Group (AP STAG) providing his commentary on how we can bring other actors such as the academe on board as well when we talk about an inclusive disaster risk governance model.
Representing CBi, I had three requests or “asks” aimed at strengthening private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction and management across the ASEAN region:
- Establishing a Private Sector Engagement Working Group within the region, a dedicated space fostering dialogues on innovative collaborations with businesses. This group could lend vital support to the working groups of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Partnership Group.
- Nurturing a culture of sharing good practices in private sector engagement during response through collaboration with the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT). This exchange could significantly bolster local and international private sector actors' understanding of their role in ERAT efforts.
- Charting a course toward inclusivity means ensuring that future ASEAN Disaster Resilience Forums extend a warm invitation to a broader spectrum of private sector representatives.
The role of the Private Sector in a "Whole-of-Society Approach" to Disaster Management
It was heartening to hear the phrase “whole of society approach” to disaster resilience in ASEAN throughout the forum. That is something which reminds me of how this region really values the spirit of cooperation and collaboration when it comes to nation-building. For us at CBi, this means getting the private sector a seat at the table when we talk about improving the way we work in disaster risk reduction and management—because working with the private sector is always win-win proposition. Whether it’s the national chamber, the industry associations or individual firms, top management and employees want to help because they are an integral part of the community.
When disasters happen, one of the early responders is always the business community. Even after the response, they will continue to be there. And our private sector partners are not just funders; they are agents of change, driven by a shared commitment to effective disaster risk reduction and management. They bring resources, innovation, and unparalleled expertise to the table.
Flying back home, I was hopeful that as we explored the intricate nature of public-private partnerships and collaboration, we did not get stuck on discussing challenges – but rather, we were there to ignite a conversation about the immense possibilities that lie ahead. The solutions to regional (and global) humanitarian crises lie in collaboration, innovation, and holistic partnerships. It was a big step in the right direction to address one pivotal aspect of this equation during the inaugural ASEAN Disaster Resilience Forum: the power of the private sector engagement.