[Title] Address by MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at “Delivering the Sendai Framework: An ASEAN Approach to Inclusive Disaster and Climate Resilience”, Side Event of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Excellencies, Distinguished guests and participants,

Allow me to deliver this statement on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu.

1. Opening

Excellencies, Distinguished guests and participants,

First and foremost, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to H.E. Mr. Sihasak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Hon. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, the current ASEAN Chair, Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Mr. Dalela, Vice Minister for Economic Relations, Ministry of State for External Affairs of India, H.E. Ms. Rossbach, Executive Director of UN- Habitat, and all countries and organizations involved in facilitating this event.

The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world. This year alone, we have witnessed numerous disasters, including flash flood in Nepal, major earthquakes off the coast of Mindanao in the Philippines, off Flores in Indonesia, and in Kumamoto, Japan, as well as floods across the region including Thailand and Japan.

2. ASEAN's Efforts

ASEAN has demonstrated strong leadership in disaster risk reduction through regional cooperation, including disaster response coordination and early warning initiatives anchored by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).

These regionally-led efforts form the bedrock of disaster- resilient societies, and Japan has been supporting them through concrete cooperation, including support via the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

As part of our commitment to saving lives when disasters strike, Japan has contributed to strengthening life-saving and medical response capabilities through the ARCH Project. Through joint training and capacity-building under this project, we aim to advance ASEAN-led sustainable approaches and enhance disaster response capacity across the region.

3. High School Student Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day From the perspective of passing down the memory of disasters to future generations, Japan has been hosting the High School Student Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day since 2016, as a platform for high school students from around the world to

learn about tsunami threats and countermeasures.

Next month, approximately 100 students from 14 countries, including ASEAN Member States, will gather in Iwate Prefecture.

4. Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

In October next year, Japan will host the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai City. We hope to make this a meaningful forum for advancing the implementation of the Sendai Framework and for shaping the disaster risk reduction agenda beyond 2030, in cooperation with ASEAN and its Member States.

5. Closing

Disaster response is not something any single country can achieve alone. Japan is committed to working hand in hand with ASEAN, Australia, India and the international community, and to leading the dialogue toward building more resilient societies.

Thank you for your attention.