The second technical session of the 11th APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum. (Credit: sggp.org.vn)

Tran Quang Hoai, Director of the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority, said that the APEC officials pointed to the importance of developing supporting tools in disaster risk management and the application of advanced sciences and technologies in the field, with priority given to forecasting and alerting activities.

They held that disaster mitigation must be implemented in parallel with ensuring sustainable growth and realising the UN Sustainable Development Goals, while stressing the need for training courses and technology transfer in order to recognise and prevent disasters.

Meanwhile, the APEC officials also highlighted the need to invest further in preparation and recovery activities, with stronger engagement by the private sector and the community to foster connections among State agencies, science and technology research facilities, investors and the community, Hoai said.

Noting that the APEC economies still face many challenges posed by natural disasters and climate change, Hoai stressed that it is crucial for them to continue learning from each other’s experience and sharing technology, as the application of sciences and technologies is the only way to deal with inter-regional problems.

He expressed his hope that the APEC economies would make greater progress in science and technology cooperation and in the implementation of recommendations stated in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

Within the framework of the event, the APEC senior officials also discussed the enhancement of cooperation and innovation in advanced technologies to effectively support the effective inter-regional emergency response to "new normal” disasters and the development of solutions for information infrastructure in reducing natural risks.