Creating a safer future for Vietnam and the ASEAN region

On the evening of October 13, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment coordinated with the United Nations Children's Fund in Vietnam, Hanoi National University of Education with the support of the Japanese Government to organize a rally to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with the theme "Investing in resilience to reduce disaster risks" and the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management 2025.

The program had the participation of representatives of the United Nations in Vietnam, a number of representative offices of the Embassy in Vietnam, along with international organizations, non-governmental organizations and a large number of students of the school, broadcast live on the Facebook page of the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control and Hanoi National University of Education.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment and Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, presented flowers to acknowledge WHO and IOM as members of the partnership. Photo: Le Dong/VNA

Speaking at the rally, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep expressed his belief that, with the spirit of Solidarity - Creativity - Pioneering, we will together create a safer future, not only for Vietnam but also for the entire ASEAN region.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, it was not a coincidence that the venue for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management 2025 was chosen at Hanoi National University of Education, but it was a deliberate choice to strongly affirm: Education is one of the core foundations for building a resilient future against natural disasters.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep said that many provinces and cities in Northern Vietnam are struggling to bear the heavy consequences of floods after storms. In just two months, four consecutive storms have poured down historic rains, submerging many areas from Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son to the Northern Delta. Those images are truly heartbreaking,…

"But we are not helpless. History has taught us valuable lessons about the power of initiative, solidarity and limitless creativity. Right now, that noble international spirit is being lit up. Tonight, the first relief shipment from Japan has arrived in Vietnam and will be transferred to Bac Ninh tomorrow. Along with that, tomorrow there will also be more hearts from Australia reaching difficult lands. We appreciate and are deeply grateful for those noble gestures," Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep shared.

Expressing his concern for the young generation in disaster prevention and control, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized: "I want to pay special attention to the people who hold the key to the future - students, the future teachers of the country. You are not only students, you are also inspirations. In your hands is a whole generation of Vietnamese children." A lecture integrating disaster prevention knowledge, an extracurricular session on survival skills, or just a heartwarming story about post-storm recovery... all can become a flame that lights up awareness, forming seeds of resilience. You are the most vivid bridge between academic knowledge and life, between today's lecture hall and tomorrow's community. Let's write the story of a resilient Vietnam with your own enthusiasm and intelligence.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, shares about disaster risk reduction activities. Photo: Le Dong/VNA

Referring to the complexity of natural disasters as well as the serious shortage of funding for prevention, Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, said that this is also a time to recall the urgent call of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Secretary-General warned that disaster risks are escalating worldwide, while important funding for prevention remains seriously lacking.

In the context of increasing challenges, the Secretary-General’s message is clearer and more urgent than ever. “We must commit to using our resources to build resilience, not simply to respond to natural disasters. For Viet Nam, adopting this strategic approach is fundamental to addressing the growing climate threats. We must translate this global priority into decisive national action,” Ms. Pauline Tamesis emphasized.

Informing about 3 important actions in disaster prevention and control, Ms. Pauline Tamesis said that cooperation with stakeholders is needed to better respond to disaster risks; strengthening community resilience is essential. Building a resilient future means engaging young people now.

"The Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction is a very special forum where the Government of Viet Nam, UN agencies, international donors and civil society organizations converge to apply a unified approach to disaster risk reduction. With Viet Nam at the forefront of climate change and to respond to the challenges ahead, our Partnership must deepen, strengthen governance mechanisms, and promote youth and community empowerment. Together, we can build a more resilient and prosperous Viet Nam," said Ms. Pauline Tamesis.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Hien, Party Committee Secretary, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hanoi National University of Education stated: "Today reminds us that disaster risk reduction is a long journey and requires everyone's cooperation. Hanoi National University of Education is committed to continuing to prioritize resources and creating the best conditions for research, training and international cooperation activities in this field to develop further."

At the rally, representatives of international organizations also informed about issues related to disaster prevention and control; young people also shared ideas through technological solutions, through integrating disaster prevention and control into teaching....

The organizing committee also reviewed the outstanding disaster prevention and control activities of the Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership. Accordingly, in 2024, especially in the face of the consequences of storm YAGI (storm No. 3), 31 international agencies and organizations participated in supporting Vietnam. The Ministry of Agriculture received more than 220 tons of relief goods worth 2.3 million USD from partners. Entering 2025, Vietnam continued to struggle to cope with a fierce storm season. In just a few months, storm No. 3, storm No. 5, storm No. 10 and storm No. 11 consecutively caused heavy damage in many provinces in the North and Central regions. With the spirit of solidarity and sharing continuing to spread, international organizations, governments and partners continue to accompany the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to quickly deploy activities to quickly assess needs, commit to emergency support, provide relief goods and help people stabilize their lives soon after natural disasters.

Also on the afternoon of October 13, at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control received the first emergency aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the people of Bac Ninh. In addition to today's Japanese shipment, it is expected to receive donations from the Australian Government, Russia, the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance and many other international organizations.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tao-dung-mot-tuong-lai-an-toan-hon-cho-viet-nam-va-khu-vuc-asean-20251013211726045.htm