On 25th July 2025, the 9th Asian Preparedness Partnership Regional Steering Committee (APPRSC) Meeting took place at the Cumulus Ballroom, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Hosted by the Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP), the event brought together senior officials and key stakeholders from across the APP member countries to review progress, reaffirm commitments, and shape the strategic direction of the partnership moving forward.
The opening ceremony was led by the three SLPP Co-Chairs: Major General (Retd) Sampath Kotuwegoda, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC); Dr. Janaka Hemathilaka, Executive Director of Janathakshan GTE Ltd.; and Ms. Manori Dissanayake, Senior Assistant Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Together, they welcomed the delegates and underscored the importance of multi-sector collaboration in disaster risk reduction and resilience building.
Throughout the meeting, delegates shared valuable insights on strengthening and consolidating National Preparedness Partnerships (NPPs). Countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Pakistan, and the Philippines presented case studies and best practices that highlighted the impact of preparedness activities in real-world disaster situations. The session also featured presentations on upcoming interventions funded by the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF), with a focus on locally led, inclusive resilience strategies.
A report from the APP Secretariat highlighted regional engagement under Pillar 3, reinforcing the role of cross-border learning and cooperation. In a key moment of the event, updated Terms of Reference (ToRs) for NPPs were formally signed by participating countries, symbolizing their ongoing commitment to collaboration and shared governance.
The event concluded with the official handover of the APPRSC Co-Chairship to the Preparedness Partnership of Cambodia (PPC). Closing remarks were delivered by Ms. Pilar Pacheco from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who commended the achievements of APP and SLPP and encouraged sustained action. A vote of thanks was delivered by the SLPP team, formally concluding the event.
This steering committee meeting demonstrated Sri Lanka’s leadership in driving localized resilience and regional cooperation. It also served as a powerful reminder of the critical role that partnerships play in building communities that are prepared, inclusive, and future-ready.
