On 7 December 2009, Mr. Jakkrit Srivali, Minister and Deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, delivered a statement on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Agenda Item 70: Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance. Gist as follows:
1. ASEAN is concerned about the changes in the pattern of natural hazards, specifically climate-related hazards which were stated in the UN Secretary-General’s reports that caused 91 per cent of disasters in 2008. In this regards, ASEAN Member States will participate actively and constructively to ensure a satisfactory outcome during the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change in December 2009.
2. ASEAN believed in enhancing capacity at the local, national and regional levels to handle the disaster management effectively. ASEAN is enhancing with its cooperation with its partners in East Asia. During the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Thailand last October, the leaders from 16 East Asian Countries had adopted a Statement on EAS Disaster Management to enhance regional cooperation on the matter.
3. ASEAN believes that cooperation between the United Nations and Regional International Organizations can mobilize resources and expertise to assist natural disaster. ASEAN has played an active role with the Government of Myanmar and the United Nations through a Tripartite Core Group (TCG) which was established to promote coordination and facilitation of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar after it was hit by Cyclone Nargis in 2008.
4. ASEAN strongly supports the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) as an essential part of the multilateral humanitarian financial architecture, which has enabled the United Nations agencies to start humanitarian operation promptly and effectively.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th