Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise 2025 (ARDEX-25), in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In his remarks, SG Dr. Kao underscored the critical role of ARDEX as a cornerstone of ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen regional disaster resilience. He emphasised that through coordinated simulation exercises, ARDEX enables ASEAN Member States and relevant stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of existing mechanisms in responding to complex emergencies. SG Dr. Kao also highlighted that the exercise fosters a spirit of solidarity and collective responsibility among ASEAN Member States, which is essential for building a more responsive and adaptive disaster management system in the face of increasingly severe and frequent natural hazards.

During the pre-ceremony engagement and equipment display visit, SG Dr. Kao was invited by the H.E. Kun Kim to inspect search and rescue equipment from Cambodia and other ASEAN Member States, showcasing technologies and capacities.

Download the full remarks here.