The Asia Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world. According to the United Nations, nearly 45 percent of the world’s natural disasters occur in the region and more than 75 percent of those affected by natural disasters globally are its residents. Given our connectedness, cascading natural, man-made, and natural-technological hazards have combined to result in systemic risks that have national, regional, and even global impacts.
Opening remarks on Day 1 of the 2022 Asia Pacific Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction were delivered by SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and ARISE Global Board Member Ms. Liza Silerio on behalf of ARISE Philippines Co-Chair and SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr. Hans T. Sy. Seated from left: National Resilience Council President and APSTAG Member Ms.
Attendees of the press conference included, from L-R, ARISE Philippines Co-Chair VADM Alexander Pama, NEDA former Director-General and Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning Dr. Ernesto Pernia, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, UNDRR Regional Office for Asia Chief and ASPSTAG Co-Chair Mr. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Keio University Professor and APSTAG Co-Chair Dr. Rajib Shaw, NDRRMC Executive Director and Office of Civil Defense Administrator Usec.
Mr. Hans T. Sy personally toured UNDRR representatives around the SM Prime booth, which showcased the various projects and initiatives of the company in regard to disaster risk reduction and resilience. From left, UNDRR Team Member Mr. Tejas Patnik, UNDRR Regional Office for Asia Pacific Chief Mr. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, and ARISE Philippines Co-Chair and SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr. Hans T. Sy.
Presenting the Kuala Lumpur Multi-hazard Platform on Day 2 of the 2022 Asia Pacific Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction was SEADPRI-Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Professor and Asian Network on Climate Science and Technology Director Dr. Joy Jacqueline Pereira. The panel was co-moderated by SEADPRI-Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Professor and Asian Network on Climate Science and Technology Director Dr.