Risk management, prevention and response specialists from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum meet today in Peru's Iquitos city (Loreto region) to share the best practices in said fields, the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) head Alfredo Lozada Frias informed today.
APEC experts will participate in the Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) Public Alert & Warning Workshop, where they will also discuss common principles to enhance early public alert capacities.
Indeci's chief highlighted Iquitos city's election to host the event due to its vulnerability to various natural disasters, such as floods, high-intensity winds and heavy rainfall, which also affect other APEC economies.
The event is sponsored by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
As part of the SDMOF10, APEC economies' representatives will prepare the draft of the Declaration to be signed at the bloc's Leaders Summit in November in Lima.
The document will take into consideration agreements reached in previous meetings relating to: strengthening of early public alert capacities, emergency donations guidelines, business continuity planning for disasters, tsunami risk reduction, women and vulnerable populations' commitment in building resilience to disasters and strengthening resilience to disasters in rural areas.
As hosting nation, Peru presented a concept note on Disaster Risk Reduction in Food Security Supply Chains. The document was developed along with the World Food Program and may be addressed with the support of fellow APEC members.
About APEC
Founded in November 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum seeking to promote trade and investment liberalization, facilitate business and promote economic cooperation between its 21 member economies.
The forum is composed of following members: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
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Published: 10/6/2016