From 17 to 19 August 2026, the 22nd meeting of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) and the 19th meeting of the APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum (SDMOF) were held in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. The meetings were hosted by the Ministry of Emergency Management of China (MEM), the host economy for APEC 2026.
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Delegates from APEC economies attend the meetings
The meetings brought together delegates from APEC member economies and experts from other economies. The Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA), the national focal point for Vietnam’s participation in EPWG cooperation activities, sent a delegation to attend the meetings.
Over the three-day programme, delegates discussed and shared practical experiences in disaster risk management in the context of emerging challenges. Discussions focused on the application of advanced science and technology, as well as artificial intelligence (AI), to contribute to more effective disaster risk management.
Delegates discuss and share practical experiences
The increased application of science and technology, particularly emerging technologies, was discussed in the context of growing demands on disaster risk management. Modern technological solutions and AI were highlighted as tools that could support improvements in disaster risk management approaches and contribute to more effective responses to emergencies.
In addition to discussions on disaster risk management, the meetings provided an opportunity for APEC economies to share practical experiences and exchange approaches and solutions in disaster prevention, response and risk management. These exchanges contributed to greater mutual understanding, experience sharing and cooperation in disaster management among economies in the region.
