Geneva: Malaysia is committed to strengthening strategic cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to address increasingly complex disaster challenges, particularly those related to climate change and community resilience, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, who is leading the Malaysian delegation to the eighth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva, discussed these issues during his meeting with UN assistant secretary-general Kamal Kishore, who is also head of UNDRR, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG).
Ahmad Zahid emphasized the significance of this meeting for Malaysia, especially in the context of strengthening strategic collaboration with UNDRR to tackle increasingly complex disaster challenges linked to climate change and community resilience. The discussions also included the potential development of a National Disaster Risk Reduction Act, smarter early warning systems, more accurate flood risk mapping, and strategic investments in education and community awareness.
He shared Malaysia's experience in dealing with the severe floods at the end of last year, which affected over 150,000 people in nine states, highlighting the necessity of long-term planning and science- and data-based preventive measures. Meanwhile, Kishore praised Malaysia's swift action through the SMART team in its recent humanitarian and search-and-rescue mission in Myanmar, reflecting Malaysia's leadership in the ASEAN context.
Ahmad Zahid expressed Malaysia's readiness to assume a greater role within the framework of regional cooperation under the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) during its ASEAN chairmanship, particularly in enhancing regional disaster preparedness and resilience.
He stated, "God willing, through smart partnerships with UNDRR and global partners, we will continue striving to ensure that this country's policies protect lives, safeguard the well-being of the people, and build a more resilient future."