January 24, 2002
'27'
INTEGRATE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS WITH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The meeting of the Asia-South Pacific countries on International Strategy on Disaster management has felt that disaster reduction is preferable to disaster response. To achieve this goal, the meeting felt, elements of disaster preparedness have to form part of the process of sustainable development. 22 countries including India attended the conference. The meeting which concluded here today was an UN sponsored initiative which sought to carry forward programmes taken up during the International Decade of Disaster Reduction (1990-2000). The meeting was preceded by the forth-annual meeting of Asian Disaster Reduction Centre, Kobe, an organisation of Japanese Government with membership of 22 other countries including India.
The event was marked by exposure of participants to international best experience and mutual practices sharing among the delegates. The meeting also felt the need for exchange of information and strategy to deal with disaster and cooperation at regional as well as sub-regional level.
Experts, Under Secretary General of UN for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Central Relief Commissioner of the Government of India Shri Ashok Pradhan addressed the meeting. Mr. Shigehiko Okuyama, Parliament Secretary, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan was also present.