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On September 17, 2024, DPNet coordinated to organize an online preparatory meeting for the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), set to take place from October 14 to 18, 2024, in Manila, Philippines. The meeting, held on Zoom, was part of DPNet's ongoing efforts to coordinate Nepal's participation through the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR), where DPNet serves as the Secretariat. The meeting was attended by distinguished figures, including Mr. Anil Pokhrel, Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), and Dr. Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, Chief of the Disaster Management Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA). Approximately 50 participants, representing various stakeholder organizations of DPNet, attended the session.

Dr. Raju Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet Nepal, opened the meeting with an introduction to the importance of APMCDRR 2024. He outlined the objectives of the preparatory meeting, which included setting up an exhibition booth for the upcoming conference, identifying key areas of focus, and promoting stakeholder engagement and collaboration. The presentation provided a detailed overview of the agenda for APMCDRR 2024, the expected outcomes, and a roadmap to achieving the conference’s goals by 2030. Dr. Thapa emphasized the need for collective efforts and innovative approaches to disaster risk reduction in the region. He shared that DPNet Nepal is actively coordinating with stakeholders to develop a common position paper and an official statement that will guide Nepal’s delegation, which will participate in main sessions, sideline events, and manage an exhibitor booth to showcase Nepal's contributions in disaster risk reduction.

Dr. Thapa also reflected on past preparatory meetings, particularly those held on February 28, July 2, August 7, and September 7, 2024, that have laid the groundwork for Nepal’s involvement in APMCDRR. He further discussed the formation of two key committees to support the preparations: the APMCDRR Preparatory Committee and the Position Paper Drafting Committee, which includes representatives from NDRRMA, MoHA, UN agencies, DPNet, and other key stakeholders. Despite focusing on preparations, post-conference activities were also discussed, including finalizing the Basket Fund and the position paper, preparing materials for the exhibitor booth, and holding an in-person pre-departure meeting. Nepal’s participation in APMCDRR will be followed by the celebration of DRR Day and a post-APMCDRR meeting on October 29, 2024, to maintain momentum in DRR efforts.

During the discussion session, participants raised several issues. Ms. Luna Khadka from World Vision International asked whether a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) could be finalized by the end of September, aligning with their fiscal year. She also mentioned World Vision's willingness to provide materials for display at the APMCDRR marketplace. Mr. Prakash Kafle from Oxfam suggested the need for a focal person to handle programmatic and financial matters to streamline the process. Mr. Phurba Moktan from Plan International inquired about the possibility of contributing funds for specific categories rather than the overall event. Dr. Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, from MoHA, emphasized the importance of including participants from disaster-affected areas of Nepal and media representatives in the conference. He also suggested that the position paper remain concise, as specific issues would be covered in Nepal Disaster Report (NDR), and recommended standardizing logo sizes in all materials to ensure contributors’ visibility.

Mr. Anil Pokhrel, Executive Chief of NDRRMA, stressed the importance of broad stakeholder involvement for the success of APMCDRR, particularly highlighting the role of media, academia, and NGOs. He noted that their participation would not only raise awareness but also contribute diverse perspectives, research, and practical solutions to enhance DRR efforts in the region. Pokhrel emphasized that collaboration across these sectors is imporatnt for achieving the conference’s goals and ensuring that the outcomes reflect a wide range of expertise and experiences. The official statement for the conference had been finalized, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, marking an important milestone in Nepal’s preparations for APMCDRR 2024.