During a mining event, DENR Undersecretary Marilou G. Erni emphasized that in the 2023 World Risk Index, the Philippines was identified as the number one most disaster-prone country in the world. This ranking highlights the country's extreme vulnerability to natural hazards and the significant risks it faces from disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. The Index underscores the urgency for the Philippines to enhance its disaster risk reduction and management strategies.
The Philippine Government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), will host this year the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR). This will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila from October 14 to 18, 2024. The final day, October 18, is reserved for an optional site visit.
This was announced by Usec. Erni during a Philippine Mining Club Luncheon last May 24 at Seda Hotel BGC. Her topic for this event is titled, “Asia Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Resilience”.
The APMCDRR stands as the foremost regional platform in Asia and the Pacific for overseeing and strengthening cooperation on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
The Sendai Framework is recognized as a vital global mechanism for coordinating efforts to reduce risks, with the APMCDRR playing a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices in disaster risk reduction across the region.
About the Speaker
Usec. Erni is the current Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications of DENR, the government agency primarily responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources.
Before taking on her current role, Usec. Erni served as the Executive Director of the National Resilience Council (NRC) in the Philippines. The NRC is a public-private partnership focused on enhancing climate and disaster resilience through science and technology. It works towards the implementation of key international frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Climate Agreement.
An October to Remember
The APMCDRR will kick off with "Day Zero" on October 14, followed by three full-day programs from October 15 to 17, and will conclude with a field exposure on October 18. The conference will include various sessions such as plenary sessions, working sessions, partner events, learning labs, and a marketplace with exhibition booths.
This conference will unite governments, intergovernmental organizations, international and national bodies, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and other stakeholders to advance disaster risk reduction efforts.
As the inaugural regional platform following the adoption of the Political Declaration of the Sendai Framework Midterm Review, APMCDRR 2024 will be held under the theme "Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction."
The event is expected to attract 2,500 to 3,000 participants, including ministerial representatives, international organizations, and various sectors from across the Asia-Pacific region.
How It All Started
Usec. Erni pointed out that the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 highlights that the top global risks are mostly environmental, such as extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These risks are particularly relevant to the Asia-Pacific region, which has historically borne the brunt of global disaster impacts.
Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region has been significantly affected by disasters, accounting for a large percentage of global disaster fatalities and affected populations. The Philippines is identified as the most disaster-prone country in the world in 2023.
In relation to this, the conference (APMCDRR) aims to review risk reduction progress, share innovative solutions, and make actionable commitments to enhance disaster risk reduction efforts by 2030 in one of the world's most disaster-prone regions.
Another objective of the conference is to foster ambition in DRR across the region, focusing on practical solutions, inclusivity, and localization. The private sector’s engagement is crucial for sustainable financing and building resilience.
Role of the Mining Industry
During her talk, Usec. Erni emphasized the importance of the mining sector in understanding systemic risks and contributing to disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts. The mining industry is urged to transition from mere compliance to sustainability and even regenerative practices.
Usec. Erni invites participants from the mining industry and other sectors to actively participate in the conference. The event is seen as an opportunity to showcase the Philippines' leadership in DRR and to promote public-private partnerships in addressing disaster risks.
With this invitation to support the event, she emphasized the importance of collective action in achieving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development in the face of disaster risks.
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Later at the Luncheon, two others speakers gave a lecture and presentation. DENR's Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones (for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs) talked about “Project TRANSFORM” where he enumerated the various successful projects of DENR across the country. TRANSFORM is an acronym for Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability Through Multistakeholder Engagement.
GHD Group's Mr. Anjan Kundu gave a lecture on “Reshaping the Future on Tailings in the Philippines”. Mr. Kundu is the Senior Technical Director, Business Group Leader – Tailings and Mine Waste, at GHD Pty Ltd.
He presented some case studies on tailings from other countries and how specific solutions may be implemented as well in the Philippines for smart tailings management.
During his lecture, he asked, “Why is there so much discussion about tailings?” He answered by explaining that tailings are considered a risk to people and the environment. Thus, he concluded, “That is why now there is a Global Industry Standard in Tailings Management (GISTM).”
Mr. Kundu mentioned that the key considerations in tailings management that are Philippines specific are the following: frequent and often severe earthquakes, community close to mine and tailings facility, and torrential rainfall in short duration -- long wet season.
“This is the time to think about the Future… Think and do things differently with the use of technology,” he said.
The Luncheon was emceed and moderated by Mr. Joey Nelson Ayson, President of Philippine Mining & Exploration Association.
“The Philippine Mining Club” has been established to form better relationships across all areas of the Philippine mining industry. Affiliated with the globally-recognized Melbourne Mining Club, they aim to uphold a professional networking environment in order to promote the minerals industry for those interested in the sector. The Luncheon meetings are held every second month at noon.
