1. Highlights of 2014/2015

1. Highlights of 2014/2015
1-1. Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR)
Information sharing among member countries, advisor countries, and other relevantorganizations are indispensable for strengthening the network of people working on disasterrisk reduction in Asia. The Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) convenes an annualinternational conference attended by disaster risk management officials from its member
countries and disaster experts from international organizations to promote the sharing ofinformation and opinions, and to enhance partnerships among participating countries andorganizations.
The Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR) 2015 was held in Sendai, Japan on 15March 2015 as part of the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) held
14-18 March 2015. The WCDRR aimed to confirm achievements of the Hyogo Framework forAction (HFA) and clarify the core actions on improving capacity for DRR in the HFA2, and its
successor framework.
ACDR2015 was organized jointly by the government of Japan, the United Nations
Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), and ADRC. It wasattended by a total of 180 participants, including high level government officials from 29
countries as well as representatives of 23 international and regional organizations, the academic
community, and the private sector.
The key topics addressed at ACDR2015 were as follows:
1. ADRC’s priority actions related to the HFA and the Post-2015 Framework
2. Creative reconstruction initiatives by Hyogo Prefecture since the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake
3. Lessons learned from typhoons and in Philippines and future challenges in this area
4. HFA implementation status and future challenges in Kyrgyz
5. HFA implementation status and future challenges in Nepal6. ICIMOD’s regional DRR efforts to improve disaster management capacity in the HKH
regionFig. 1-1-1 Participants of ACDR2015

1ACDR2015 was opened with remarks by Mr. Ryosei Akazawa, State Minister of theCabinet Office of Japan, followed by remarks from Ms. Feng Min Kan, Head of the Asia andthe Pacific Office of UNISDR. Dr. Masanori Hamada,Chairman of the ADRC, expressedsincere gratitude for their participation in ACDR2015, then reviewed the ADRC's core
activities: information sharing, capacity, building, and strengthening the resilience ofcommunities.
He proposed two new activities to promote the Post-2015 Framework: (1) utilizing moreadvanced technologies, such as space science, in DRR, and (2) strengthening the resilience ofcommunities by involving local industries.
Mr. Sugeng Triutomo, formerly a long-time ADRC point of contact in Indonesia's BNPB,
Senior Advisor of BNPB, moderated a panel discussion on the progress made toward the HFAand the challenges involved in promoting the Post-2015 Framework in ADRC's member
countries and regions. The list of presenters is as follows.
Mr. Akinori Sugimoto, Superintendent of Emergency Management, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan,“Lessons from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Over the Past 20 years.” The Hyogo
prefectural government presented results achieved from an evaluation of the 20 years of efforts
undertaken since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Creative reconstruction was stronglyrecommended in the Post-2015 Framework.
Mr. Alexander P. Pama, Administrator, Office of Civil Defense, Philippines: “The Philippine
Experience: Making Resilience Happen.” The Office of Civil Defense in the Philippines gave apresentation on its successes in disaster risk reduction and management, with special attention
to the lessons learned from Typhoon Yolanda (I.N. Haiyan) and best practices from Typhoon
Ruby (I.N. Hagupit).
Mr. Kanatbek KARYBAI UULU, Chief Specialist, International Cooperation Department,
Ministry of Emergency Situations, Kyrgyz: “For the good of Kyrgyzstan.” The Ministry ofEmergency Situations in Kyrgyz showed progress towards the HFA and recommended“enhancing the coordination of DRR activities carried out by all stakeholders and at all levels,with particular emphasis on the local level.”

Fig. 1-1-2

Participants of ACDR2015

21. Highlights of 2014/2015

Mr. Rameshwor Dangal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal: “An Overview ofDisaster Risk Management in Nepal.” The Ministry of Home Affairs in Nepal reported on its
HFA progress, especially highlighting the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC), andconcluded by saying “Nepal expects solidarity and support from participating agencies anddevelopment partners with regard to DRM financing and technology.”
Dr. Mandira Singh Shrestha, Senior Water Resources Specialist, ICIMOD: “Regional Efforts
in Disaster Risk Reduction in the HKH Region: Challenges and Opportunities.” ICIMOD
talked about ICIMOD and disasters in the Himalayan region, particularly emphasizing theeffectiveness of progressive initiatives using satellite technologies and mobile phones.
At the closing ceremony, remarks were given by Mr. Kiyoshi Natori, ADRC ExecutiveDirector. ACDR2015 was a great success thanks to the valuable contributions of all thespeakers and the active involvement of all participants.
The documents of ACDR2015 and the final conference summary are available at ADRC’swebsite, http://www.adrc.asia/acdr/2015_index.html .

3