APEC Taskforce to Prepare for Future Emergencies

Australia and Indonesia will co-chair the inaugural meeting of the APEC Virtual Task Force on Emergency Preparedness in Bali on 2-3 May.

The APEC Virtual Task Force was established in response to the Tsunami tragedy that devastated the Indian Ocean region last December. It aims to strengthen coordination efforts among APEC Member Economies on disaster preparedness and their response to regional emergencies such as disease outbreaks, natural calamities and terrorist actions.

The Task Force will meet as the need demands, but will function primarily through a regional network and website building essential links between APEC disaster management experts, sharing best practice information and facilitating targeted capacity building projects.

The Bali meeting will be attended by senior officials from APEC’s 21 member economies, disaster management experts, business representatives and representatives of the Asia Disaster Preparedness Centre and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Participants will conduct a stocktake of the range of activities APEC has already undertaken on disaster management, identify gaps in regional emergency preparedness and establish immediate and long-term priorities for APEC capacity building in this area.

This initiative highlights the strength and practical focus of APEC’s role and its unique capacity to bring together 21 member economies, the private sector and key international organisations to address issues that have a major impact on the economic health and human security of our region.

The Bali meeting is also a further demonstration of the strong commitment of the Australian and Indonesian governments to cooperate on key issues of regional interest.

Media inquiries : Ministerial 02 6277 7500 , DFAT Media Liaison 02 6261 1555