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The Asia-Pacific region comprises 52% of the earth's surface area, 59% of the world's population, and over 70% of the world's natural disasters. APEC Economic Leaders have acknowledged that unexpected disasters that affect one member economy can affect all member economies, and that APEC members can benefit by sharing expertise and collaborating on emergency preparedness and response.
As an immediate response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami that struck in December 2004, and to collectively prepare for future natural disasters, APEC Senior Officials adopted an APEC Strategy on Response to and Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Emergencies. The Senior Officials specifically called for the establishment of a Virtual Task Force for Emergency Preparedness (VTFEP). The Task Force was later renamed the Task Force for Emergency Preparedness (TFEP).
APEC member economies agreed that in responding to natural disasters as devastating as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, APEC should leverage its strengths of multi-sectoral participation, private-sector partnerships, broad regional reach, and high-level political involvement. APEC can play a constructive role in enabling the region to better prepare for future emergencies and natural disasters of all kinds, and can address long-term commercial recovery in affected sectors.
Achievements
In August 2007, the first gathering of APEC disaster and emergency management experts was held in Cairns, Australia. Representatives from 13 APEC economies and a range of international organizations agreed to support a 3-5 year TFEP strategic plan that took into account human and political imperatives for more effective emergency preparedness and risk reduction, as well as more timely and effective disaster response.
At the APEC Economic Leaders' meeting in Sydney in September 2007, Leaders agreed on the need to further strengthen APEC's efforts to build community resilience and preparedness for emergencies and natural disasters.
Current activities
The TFEP's mandate was extended for another two years at the first Senior Officials' Meeting in 2008. The extension will allow the group to ensure ongoing and effective coordination of emergency preparedness work across APEC.
In 2008, TFEP has undertaken the following activities:- Dialogue in Viet Nam between economies, private sector representatives and key regional and international partners on emergency preparedness and risk reduction;
- Study Course on Disaster Emergency Response and Recovery in China;
- Second stock take of TFEP member needs and priorities. Economies also drafted a Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction to 2015.
There are a number of activities planned for the second half of 2008, including:- The Second Emergency Management CEOs' Forum; and
- A Damage Assessment Techniques Workshop.
Peru has developed a blog website on which registered users can discuss the draft 'Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Asia Pacific Region'.
Task Force for Emergency Preparedness (TFEP) - Key Contacts
Co-Chair of TFEP
Mr Quinton Devlin
Director, APEC Branch
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australia
Tel: (61-2) 6261 2904
Email: quinton.devlin@dfat.gov.au
Co-Chair of TFEP
Mr. Tabrani
Deputy for Emergency Management
Indonesia National Coordinating Board for Disaster Management
Jln. Ir. Juanda no. 36
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
Telp. +62-21 3504983
Fax. +62-21 350 4983
Email: tabrani@bakornaspbp.go.id
APEC Secretariat
Mr Vincent Liu
Director (Program)
E-mail: jyl@apec.org
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