ECO Secretary General, HE Halil Ibrahim Akca, has participated in the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR), in the Mongolian capital city of Ulaanbaatar on July 3 – 6, 2018.
The conference was attended by around 2000 participants from Asia, Pacific, International and Regional Organizations, UN-specialized bodies, NGOs and activists, as well as representatives of the Diplomatic Corps in Mongolia. The conference recognized the importance of ensuring coherence amongst the global frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The participating Ministers resolved to implement the actions recommended in Ulaanbaatar Declaration, deliver their commitments and share the progress during the next conference. The 3rd AMCDRR would be hosted by the government of Australia in 2020.
Jointly hosted by the Government of Mongolia and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) sought to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework and the Asia Regional Plan. The Asia Regional Plan encourages identification of identifying priorities to support national and local actions, enhance exchange of good practice, knowledge and information among governments and stakeholders.
During the meeting while touching on the subject of the ongoing drought in Afghanistan, Mr. Fahim emphasized that the role and support of ECO countries could assist the country in overcoming the consequences of the drought which could worsen security threats to Afghanistan and the entire ECO region.
Ambassador Akca outlined the priorities, objectives and mission of the organization for the promotion of economic solidarity throughout the region, adding that the Advocacy Program for Afghanistan is the main ECO framework seeking to assist the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its efforts for stability, prosperity, economic growth and sustainable development. He also underlined that the Organization would welcome any proposal from the government of Afghanistan with regards to natural disasters. The ECO Secretary General assured the Minister that the adverse impacts of drought in Afghanistan would be conveyed to Member states for more deliberation under the ECO Advocacy Program for Afghanistan (EAPA). The Secretary General also appreciated Afghanistan’s proposal to host the ECO Expert Group Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction and Implementation of the ECO Regional Framework on DRR in Kabul on August 19 ,“ 20, 2018.
Bilateral Meeting with Chairman of Asia Disaster Preparedness Center
