Over 100 representatives from governments, civil society, the private sector, regional bodies and development partners gathered in person, while more than 120 others joined online, for the Localization Policy Dialogue: A Decade of Progress, Lessons, and the Way Forward in Asia and the Pacific. Jointly organized by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Gates Foundation, the event was co-hosted by the Preparedness Partnership of Cambodia and ADPC, which serve as Co-Chairs of the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) Regional Steering Committee for 2025 to 2026. The gathering marked two key milestones: ten years since the launch of the APP, and a decade since the World Humanitarian Summit first highlighted the critical role of locally led efforts in humanitarian response and disaster resilience.
In his opening welcome, H.E. Prak Kimhong, Deputy Secretary-General of Cambodia’s National Committee for Disaster Management, outlined his country’s work to boost community-level disaster readiness through coordinated national and local partnerships. ADPC Executive Director Mr. Aslam Perwaiz stressed the importance of building on the progress made over the past ten years, while Dr. Valerie Nkamgang Bemo, Deputy Director for Emergency Response at the Gates Foundation, urged continued investment in local institutions and collaborative relationships.
Delegates from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka shared real-world examples of communities taking charge of risk assessment, preparedness planning, early warning systems and local decision-making. Discussions clarified that true localization means communities and local groups are involved at every stage of a programme—from design to review—rather than only acting as service providers or beneficiaries. Participants also explored how stronger local institutions, easier access to funds, transparent financial practices and long-term skills training can help local organizations move beyond short-term project roles to steady, lasting leadership. Dr. Sisira Madurapperuma, ADPC Director, called for a shift “from charity to investment” by turning locally identified resilience needs into viable, long-running programmes.
The dialogue ended with a core recommendation to build fair, open and community-led partnerships that give local groups real influence over planning, funding, delivery and accountability, backed by flexible donor rules and consistent support to strengthen local capabilities. The APP itself was established in 2016 with support from the Gates Foundation, and now links governments, civil society, academic bodies and businesses through country-level partnerships across seven nations. Coordinated by ADPC, it works to foster cooperation, share knowledge and advance locally driven disaster preparedness across Asia and the Pacific.
