Need To Prepare Future ASEAN Leaders With Disaster Management Capabilities: ASEAN Sec-Gen

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- ASEAN future leaders must prepare themselves with disaster management capabilities to build a safer and disaster-resilient region, said ASEAN secretary-general Le Luong Minh. He said these young leaders should equip themselves with knowledge and strong connection and networking in order to play a leading role in disaster management. "You must be ready and prepared. We can't change nature but we can show strong support with disaster management capabilities. "With skills, knowledge and exercise, you can prepare yourself as future leaders in ASEAN and respond to disasters together as one," he said. The ASEAN top diplomat was addressing the graduation ceremony of the AHA Centre Executive Programme (ACE Programme) under the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management here Friday. Le pointed out that young ASEAN leaders should exercise a strong ASEAN spirit especially in disaster prevention and mitigation programmes, including in furthering environmental issues in this region. Sixteen disaster management officers from ASEAN Member States' National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs) have successfully completed the six-month training scheme. The programme is developed to enhance the capacity of the officers in various aspects of disaster management and leadership. AHA Centre is an inter-governmental organisation established by ASEAN members in 2011 with the aim to facilitate cooperation and coordination among them with relevant United Nations and international organisations in promoting regional collaboration in disaster management. -- BERNAMA