The ASCEND program is an initiative by the ASEAN Member States to develop and promote regionally recognized competency standards and certification systems for disaster management professions. This is in recognition of the widespread and recurring disaster damages and losses that overwhelm national capacities and worsen regional transboundary effects.

ASCEND is now part of Priority 5: Global Leadership of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response Work Program 2021-2025, a program that envisions ASEAN as a global leader in disaster management.

Speaking at the opening of the Training, Ms. Doan Thi Tuyet Nga - Director of Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority, said: "VNDMA and the AHA Centre organize the ASCEND Assessor's training with the main objective is to enhance the capacity of the ASEAN disaster management professionals to perform the role of ASCEND Assessors in compliance with the ASCEND Framework and Competency Standards. The training is essential in ensuring that the ASEAN has qualified individuals to be assigned as ASCEND assessors in the certification assessment process". On behalf of the Vice-Chair of the ASEAN Committee on disaster management (ACDM), Ms. Doan Thi Tuyet Nga expressed her appreciation to the Republic of Korea for their valuable support for ACDM, especially in the area of capacity building.

The Training is held in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, from 27 June to 01 July. The Training participants included the representatives of VNDMA; representatives of the AHA Centre, representatives of The ASEAN - ROK Development Cooperation Programme Team and The Korean National Fire Agency; the participants from ASEAN member states. Upon completion of this training, the participants will become assessors who will assess and validate whether a candidate seeking ASCEND certification is qualified and competent to perform in a particular occupation.

Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation