President Marcos has ordered the creation of an inter-agency committee that will oversee the preparations for the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) that will be held in the Philippines next year.

Administrative Order No. 9, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Sept. 26, states that the Philippines has accepted hosting the 10th session of the APMCDRR in 2024.

Aside from creating the inter-agency committee (IAC), the order required the involvement, coordination, and support of concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to ensure the event's success.

Based on the AO, the IAC shall formulate and implement plans, programs, and activities and organize and manage the requirements for the hosting of the 2024 APMCDRR.

The IAC is also tasked to submit periodic reports to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, regarding its preparations' developments and other functions necessary for the event's success.

The body may establish working committees, which may include other government agencies, with representatives not lower than an assistant secretary and alternative representatives not lower than a director.

A designated committee chair of each working committee shall assign a secretariat assisted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The AO likewise directed all government offices to assist and cooperate with the IAC to carry out its mandate effectively.

The APMCDRR is the primary regional platform for promoting the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Asia-Pacific Region.

It facilitates exchanging experiences, sharing good practices, and identifying challenges and opportunities in disaster risk reduction.

It likewise promotes political commitment, cooperation, and knowledge-sharing to reduce disaster risk and build resilience in the Asia-Pacific Region.