Workshop on Regional Cooperation among
BIMSTEC Countries for Disaster Risk Reduction & Management
 

New Delhi 30 – 31 October 2006
 

Organized by
National Institute of Disaster Management &
Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India
 

   The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) brings together Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand besides India for cooperation in Trade, Industry and sectors of mutual interest.

Launched in 1997, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTEC is one of the youngest of all organizations conceived to promote cooperation in our region. Aimed at providing a unique link between South Asia and South East Asia, BIMSTEC brings together nations bound by ties of history and culture to foster the cherished ideals of peace, freedom and economic well being. BIMSTEC is based on mutual interests and common concerns among member countries and complementarities of their economies. 

The shared ties of history and culture also manifest in shared hazards, which, with scant regard to national boundaries, cause destruction and devastation in large areas and affect the economy of the entire region. In order to create an enabling environment for all round sustainable development, disaster risk reduction assumes crucial importance. It is in this context, that the Workshop on Regional Cooperation among BIMSTEC Countries for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management has been organized.  

Recognizing the need for a holistic approach to disaster management transcending geo-political considerations, the BIMSTEC Workshop on Regional Cooperation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management organized in New Delhi, India on 30 and 31 October 2006 reiterated the need for proactive regional cooperation in all aspects of disaster management viz. mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation. 

BIMSTEC sought to integrate the essence of mutual cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management as articulated in the SAARC Framework on Disaster Management, June 2006 and the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response Vientianne, July 2005.

Distinguished representatives from the participating Member Countries and eminent Resource Persons made presentations on various aspects and issues of regional cooperation like early warning, emergency response, knowledge sharing, reconstruction and rehabilitation. A Report was adopted by the participants of the Workshop.