Private sector resilience initiatives take center stage at APMCDRR 2024

THE Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 was held with a strong focus on the private sector's role in building resilient communities. Hosted annually by the Philippine government and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the conference brought together governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the academe from Asia and the Pacific to monitor, review and enhance cooperation for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015 to 2030.A key highlight of the conference has been the participation of Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of leading integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), who delivered powerful remarks at both the Private Sector Partners Reception and the Plenary on Localization and Urban and Rural Resilience.SM's Hans Sy's vision for a resilient futureEmphasizing the importance of private sector engagement in DRR, Sy highlighted the need for businesses to integrate resilience into their core strategies, invest in vulnerable communities and cultivate public-private partnerships."Let us leverage our collective strength to create a region that is not only resilient but also prosperous and sustainable for generations to come," Sy said.Sy's call to action resonated with attendees, inspiring them to take a more proactive role in building a robust region."Let's reaffirm our commitment to the road ahead. Together, we can make our nations safer and more resilient," Sy added.The intersection of sustainable development and resilienceThe conference also delved into the critical link between sustainable development and resilience. Sy underscored the importance of creating sustainable cities and communities, noting that as urbanization continued to accelerate, managing resilience in both urban and rural areas was imperative.SM Prime Holdings: A model for resilienceSM Prime, one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, served as an exemplary model of private sector leadership in DRR. The company's commitment to resilience was evident in its comprehensive disaster preparedness and business continuity programs. Through initiatives such as the Adopt-a-City project together with the National Resilience Council, SM Prime has actively collaborated with government agencies and local communities to enhance their resilience.SM Prime's innovative mall designs further demonstrated its commitment to disaster resilience by incorporating features such as rainwater catchment basins, automated weather stations and earthquake recording instruments. The company has built beyond the building code and has constructed a mall on stilts as well as a mall with wick drains and with a higher seawall.Disaster risk reduction simulation at the SM Resilience CenterThe SM Resilience Center, a private sector DRR initiative, hosted delegates from the APMCDRR. Participants witnessed a simulation exercise, showcasing coordinated disaster response efforts between the private sector, government agencies and local governments. The center, built in 2019, aimed to ensure business continuity and provide disaster-related services to SM properties and their tenants.A call for collective actionThe APMCDRR 2024 underscored the need for a collective effort to address disaster risks. Sy's call for private sector involvement, coupled with the conference's focus on localization and urban-rural resilience, provided a road map for building a more resilient Asia-Pacific region. By working together, governments, businesses and communities could create a future where disasters were not just survived but overcome.As the world continues to face increasing challenges related to climate change and natural hazards, the private sector's role in DRR becomes even more critical. The APMCDRR 2024 has demonstrated that by embracing resilience and promoting collaboration, a safer, more sustainable future for all could be built.