This inspiring high-level panel consisting of regional and national government bodies discussed how Anticipatory Action Frameworks, such as the AADMER Work Programme, can facilitate the institutionalisation of the AA approach at the national level of ASEAN member states.

H.E. Boros Samheng, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation presented the work done in Cambodia since to Covid 19 outbreak in anticipatory action and the long way to go for a functional and timely response for future disasters. He highlighted that Anticipatory Action has to be understood and streamlined on all governmental levels to ensure its effectiveness and to provide resilience towards disasters. Cambodia is on the early stage of anticipatory response but he already sees the improvements and the strong commitment to continue this journey.

Mr. Tecson John Lim, Philippines, Director of NDRRMC/OCD, inspired us by starting off with “we need to think bigger”, highlighting the importance of dialogue for Anticipatory Action via the quarterly national AA committee meetings, and of integrating the paradigm of shock-responsive social protection into anticipatory actions in the Philippines especially via electronic cash transfers which have the potential to reach millions more in the short 3-day lead timeframes we see in tropical storms.

Dr. Jalante, Head of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (DMHA) ASEAN outlined how anticipatory action has been integrated into the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme 2021-2025, cutting through four of its priority programmes. Additionally she highlighted the relevant ASEAN declarations and guidelines helping them to move from a reactive to a proactive approach to managing disasters in the region. She emphasised their commitment to working with the anticipatory action community to strengthen the anticipatory action approach within the AADMER Work Programme with many ASEAN Member States already planning to adopt the approach.

Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific emphasized the importance of localization in the ASEAN and particularly in all efforts of scaling-up anticipatory action. Risk information must be used at and for the local level, and tailored to those in need to protect livelihoods. This cannot be achieved alone and international cooperation and joint efforts, Mr Toscano-Rivalta stressed, are critical in the ASEAN region.

The session concluded with the key messages that the main focus of current efforts in the ASEAN shall lie on the scaling up of anticipatory action in the region and creating the evidence for AA is what ASEAN needs to focus on. Addressing the continuous need to protect lives and livelihoods is only possible in a cooperative way. It is imperative in this regard to change the enabling environment, for which the key word is institutionalisation.