Iran Takes the Helm: Elected as Next Chair of APDIM Governing Council
The Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) recently concluded its Ninth Session of the Governing Council in Tehran, where significant decisions were made to enhance regional disaster management efforts. The session, held on January 22, 2025, marked a pivotal moment as Iran was elected as the new Chair of the Governing Council, taking over from Tajikistan.
During this session, delegates from various member countries gathered, both in person and virtually, to discuss crucial matters pertaining to disaster information management. The participants included representatives from:
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- India
- Iran
- Macao
- China
- Mongolia
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
Additionally, observer countries such as Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan attended the session, along with representatives from regional organizations like the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
The session aimed to review the Centre’s achievements and set strategic priorities for the upcoming year. It commenced with opening remarks from Jamshed Kamolzoda, the Head of the Main Department for the Protection of the Population and Territories of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense of Tajikistan. Other notable speakers included:
- Mohammad Qasemi, Deputy Head of the Plan and Budget Organization of Iran
- Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
The Governing Council took the opportunity to review APDIM’s activities since its last meeting, emphasizing discussions on:
- Advancements in disaster information management
- Capacity building initiatives
- Regional cooperation strategies
An independent evaluation of the Centre’s performance was presented, offering valuable insights for future planning. The session concluded with the election of the Islamic Republic of Iran as the new Chair of the Governing Council, while India was appointed as Vice-Chair for the upcoming term.
Among the key outcomes of the session were:
- Adoption of APDIM’s programme of work for 2025
- Review of the Centre’s activities and reports
- Discussion on the evaluation findings of the Centre
- Overview of APDIM’s administrative and financial status
The Ninth Session reaffirmed APDIM’s commitment to strengthening disaster information management across the Asia-Pacific region and supporting resilience-building efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
APDIM’s primary mandate is to mitigate human and economic losses due to natural disasters, contributing to effective disaster risk reduction and resilience policies in the region. As a vital information and knowledge repository, APDIM supports governments and stakeholders in enhancing their capacities and facilitates regional cooperation on transboundary hazards.
The establishment of APDIM was initially proposed by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and was approved during the sixth-seventh session of the Commission in 2011. Subsequently, in 2015, ESCAP Member States established APDIM as a subsidiary body of ESCAP.
The General Assembly acknowledged the establishment of APDIM as a regional institution of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific through resolution 72/218. Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran and ESCAP signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of APDIM in January 2018, officially opening the Centre in Tehran that same year.
This session marks a significant step forward in enhancing disaster management capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, positioning APDIM as a key player in fostering collaboration and resilience against natural hazards.
