Recent disasters across the Asia-Pacific have increased the need for stronger regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and resilience. APEC economies are focusing on early warning systems, disaster risk financing, artificial intelligence, data governance, anticipatory action, and community preparedness.
A major priority is strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems, including risk monitoring, forecasting, information sharing, institutional coordination, and emergency response. Greater investment in early warning technology, artificial intelligence, big data, satellite remote sensing, and the Internet of Things can help identify risks earlier and allow authorities to act before disasters cause major human and economic losses.
Changing extreme weather patterns make these efforts increasingly important. Northern China, for example, has experienced around 50 percent more heavy rainfall events on average during the past five years compared with the 1990s. Regional cooperation, coordinated prevention, and complementary strengths are therefore considered necessary to address climate-related disaster risks.
Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are also being explored for risk-informed emergency management. Their use includes disaster management, satellite remote sensing, and geographic information systems. However, effective disaster management also requires appropriate data governance, institutional capacity, and the ability to turn technological developments into practical emergency-management tools.
Another important focus is anticipatory action, which uses risk information to support earlier decisions. Better forecasts are most useful when institutions have the capacity to act on them. Disaster resilience also depends on communities and institutions, with attention being given to coordination between governments, humanitarian organizations, communities, and the private sector.
Local capacity building, emergency supply systems, and the participation of women and young people are also part of the discussions. The overall approach moves beyond responding to individual emergencies and focuses on managing risks throughout prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Reference
APEC Deepens Disaster Preparedness as Risks Grow Across Region | APEC. (s. f.). APEC. https://www.apec.org/press/news-releases/2026/apec-deepens-disaster-preparedness-as-risks-grow-across-region