Excellencies, colleagues, friends.
Thank you to Thailand, UNDRR, the Philippines and Japan for bringing us together today.
In recent weeks, we have seen the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal and Tibet, China.
Communities have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
More than 1,400 have been confirmed dead. More than 6,600 remain missing.
Among those unaccounted-for are 34 Australians.
Australia rapidly mobilised humanitarian support in response to requests from the Government of Nepal.
And we continue to work closely with partners to deliver assistance to those in need and help communities recover.
Across the Indo-Pacific, the impacts of natural disasters are compounding existing vulnerabilities, threatening food security, stability and displacement.
These impacts are not felt equally, with women and girls, persons with disability and other vulnerable people often facing heightened risks.
Australia knows these challenges are regional and global, and our response must be regional and global as well.
Our collective experience outlines what should be obvious: preventing disaster impacts is far better than responding after the fact.
The Sendai Framework provides us with a clear roadmap.
It reminds us that understanding risk, investing in resilience, strengthening governance and improving preparedness are among the most effective ways to protect our communities - particularly when those most affected have a voice in shaping the systems designed to protect them.
Australia is pleased to support this, both through our direct support to UNDRR and our development partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
We also strongly support ASEAN's central role in coordinating regional disaster preparedness and response in Southeast Asia.
ASEAN plays a vital role in building norms and setting expectations of behaviour - supporting peace, stability and prosperity across our region.
As ASEAN marks ten years of the ASEAN Declaration on 'One ASEAN, One Response', effective implementation of the Disaster Management and Emergency Response Work Programme 2026-2030 will be central to strengthening regional preparedness, risk reduction and recovery efforts.
A robust, coordinated and inclusive response will be critical as disasters become more frequent, intense and complex, with climate change compounding existing risks.
Australia will continue to support ASEAN's priorities, engage with ASEAN-led mechanisms and back practical regional action.
Australia has supported the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance since its establishment in 2011.
Three Australian funded technical experts are currently embedded in the Centre to support its critical work.
And as close partners, we will continue to deepen our cooperation and deliver on the vision of the Sendai Framework together.
Together we can build a future where our communities are better prepared.
Where climate and disaster risks are better understood.
Where resilience is built before crises occur.
Where local knowledge, experience and leadership are central to our response.
And where no country faces these challenges alone.
Thank you.
