Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership First Meeting in 2024: The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Private Sector in enhancing Anticipatory Action in Vietnam

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Co-Chair of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (DRRP),

Honorable participants, esteemed colleagues, distinguished guests, and valued members of the DRRP

Chúc mừng Năm mới, Happy New Year!

It is an honor to address you today at this first meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership (or DRRP) in 2024, following our successful end-of-year gathering in December.

Today, we sharpen our collective focus on harnessing the strengths of Non-Governmental Organizations and the Private Sector for anticipatory action in Vietnam's disaster management efforts.

In the face of ever more frequent and severe natural disasters, Vietnam's story is one of resilience and strength. The climate emergency demands both our attention, as well as our collaboration and innovation. It is imperative that our strategies and actions evolve in a future-facing manner.

The agenda is driven by two objectives:

First, we aim to cultivate stronger and more dynamic partnerships. This involves creating robust channels of communication and collaboration between the DRRP members, the Government of Vietnam, and our partners in the private sector and NGOs. Each of you bring to the table a wealth of experience and expertise that are vital in crafting a comprehensive approach to disaster risk reduction and management.

Second, we will introduce Ha Long Ministerial Statement on the Strengthening of ASEAN Anticipatory Action in Disaster Management, adopted at the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management in Vietnam on 12 October 2023.   Central to this Statement are its three foundational building blocks: (1) comprehensive risk information, forecasting, and early warning systems; (2) strategic planning and efficient operations; and (3) pre-arranged financing. Each of these elements plays a vital role in fortifying ASEAN's anticipatory action for disaster management.

We are particularly honored by the presence of former Minister, His Excellency Mr. Cao Duc Phat, President of the Community Disaster Prevention and Control Fund, VDMA Director General Pham Duc Luan, representatives from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as partners from NGOs and the private sector. Your participation enriches our discussion and underscores the importance of a unified and whole-of-society approach in tackling the challenges ahead.

Distinguished guests,

Early action and preparedness can significantly mitigate the impact of natural disasters. As was the case in Bangladesh in 2020, for instance, anticipatory flood management strategies have shown remarkable success in reducing both economic losses and human casualties. Collective anticipatory action at scale is possible and works. In Bangladesh, more people were reached earlier, faster, and at half the cost of a comparable rapid response [1].

As we move into our panel discussions, I encourage every one of you to actively share your ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Your contributions are key to improving our approaches and strategies. Our shared knowledge, commitment, and collaboration contribute to a nation that can stand strong against the inevitable challenges posed by worsening natural disasters. Together, we continue our journey towards a future where Vietnam is not only prepared for disasters but is also resilient in the face of them.

Thank you for your active engagement! Xin cam on!

[1] https://www.unocha.org/bangladesh-monsoon-flooding-2020-anticipatory-ac…