Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya attended the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) Philippines International Symposium 2025, which concluded a three-year initiative focused on emergency preparedness, volunteer engagement, and strengthening emergency medical services (EMS) in the region.
Supported by the government of Japan through the grant assistance for Japanese NGO projects, the initiative aimed to bolster local and regional disaster response capabilities. This year’s symposium, held under the theme “Resilience in Practice: EMS Collaboration and Multi-Sector Approach,” brought together key representatives from Philippine institutions, civil society, and international partners.
The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and showcased collaborative efforts to improve disaster resilience through cross-sector and cross-border cooperation.
In his remarks, Ambassador Endo expressed appreciation to the stakeholders involved and emphasized the importance of maintaining reliable medical and emergency services during times of crisis. “Just as calamities know no boundaries, so too must our capabilities to address them,” he said. “With cross-border platforms such as A-PAD, disaster management can be a more effective equalizer in facing risks.”
A-PAD, established in 2012, is a regional alliance that promotes coordinated disaster response by integrating efforts from governments, NGOs, and the private sector across six countries: Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
The symposium underscored A-PAD’s continuing role in fostering regional resilience and enhancing cooperation in disaster risk management across Asia-Pacific.
