"Mankind all over the world are still saddened by the catastrophe that claimed the lives of our brothers and sisters in Japan as well as by the imminent risk of subsequent disaster, while at the same time a flash flood swept through Aceh where scores of people perished. Before I continue my speech, let us observe a moment of silence to show our sympathy with the people of Japan and Aceh," he said when opening the event in Manado, North Sulawesi.
In his opening address to the ARF Direx, the vice president said the event served as a means for the government, military and civilian elements of participating countries to improve their capacity in responding to disasters.
In addition, it would also encourage coordination among participating countries in mitigating natural disasters on a multilateral basis, he said.
Deputy Japanese Foreign Minister Makiko Kikuta also addressed the joint exercise in the capacity as co-host of the event.
Chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Board (BNPB) Syamsul Mu`arif said Japan canceled a plan to participate in the joint exercise because of a 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that engulfed the country on March 11.
The event which will last from March 14 to 20 is participated in by 20 countries consisting of 10 ASEAN member states and 10 ASEAN dialog partners. The 2011 ARF Direx is the continuation of such an event held in the Philippines and Jakarta.
ASEAN groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, while its dialog partners consist of Australia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
