PHANG NGA, 27 December 2024 – As part of the series of commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami, the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) held the ASEAN Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami in Phang Nga, Thailand. The commemoration, hosted by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Ministry of Interior of Thailand, on 26-27 December, was formally opened by Deputy Minister of Interior, Sabeeda Thaised.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (DSG ASCC) San Lwin delivered pre-recorded remarks today at the opening ceremony. In his remarks, DSG ASCC emphasised the resilience of the affected communities and the solidarity of the ASEAN.
In his remarks, ACDM Chair, Colonel (R) Muhd Harrith Rashidi Bin Haji Muhd. Jamin, Director of National Disaster Management Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, highlighted the progress ASEAN has made since the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
On the first day, DDPM Thailand organised academic seminars on themes related to early warning system, public health emergency, research and innovation, inclusive resilience, and Making City Resilience. On 27 December, a site visit was conducted to the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, Ban Nam Kham community, and the tsunami museum.
The site visit showcased the improvements made in disaster preparedness by the Thailand government from the national, provincial, and community level. This is showcased through the development of the tsunami early warning system, tsunami evacuation routes, evacuation facilities, as well as various community level preparedness and awareness raising.
The event is the final part of a series of commemorative events throughout 2024 to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Previous commemorative events were held in Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia. Remarks from the Secretary-General of ASEAN can be found here.
The commemoration events served as an opportunity for ASEAN to reflect on the two decades of progress in building resilience, highlighting how this tragedy has reshaped and strengthened disaster management practices across the ASEAN region.
ASEAN Ministers-in-Charge of Disaster Management also adopted the ASEAN Ministerial Statement on the ASEAN Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami. The Statement aims to generate high level awareness and commitment for increased cooperation and collaboration for tsunami preparedness and post-disaster recovery initiatives in the region.
As part of the commemoration, the ASEAN Secretariat issued a special Issue of the ASEAN Magazine No. 39–40 on “20 Years Since the Indian Ocean Tsunami”, and a short video.
