In February 2023, DiMSUR formalized its partnership with ADPC, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). ADPC is an autonomous international organization based in Thailand mandated to promote safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction. This globally recognized organization responds to the Disaster Risk Reduction/Disaster Risk Management needs of countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific by raising awareness, helping to establish and strengthen sustainable institutional mechanisms, enhancing knowledge and skills, and facilitating the exchange of information and experience. 

With this partnership formalized, DiMSUR promotes its ability to advocate for the actions it has been developing in Southern Africa, with a view to improving disaster risk reduction and optimizing adaptation to climate change, both on the part of regional governments, as well as their respective communities. 

ADPC’s experience on the Asian continent is referenced worldwide and was established in 1986 as a regional disaster preparedness center (DMC) in Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok, Thailand. It has grown its activities over the past three decades and in 2005, ADPC’s international Charter was signed by nine founding member countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Charter was put into effect in 2018 through the ratification by all the founding members. As of January 2020, ADPC is operating as an autonomous international organization governed by the Board of Trustees. 

The vision of ADPC is “safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction” and its geographical remit is Asia and the Pacific. In the current context it provides an excellent mechanism to address existing and the emerging negative impacts of natural hazard and climate change, continue to support global initiatives on climate resilience, urban resilience, making humanitarian response to disasters more effective and give support and direction for recovery and rehabilitation, building back better. 

Together, DiMSUR and ADPC intend to improve research on risk governance, increase training, technical assistance, and technology/knowledge transfer, promote the sharing of technical knowledge and regional best practices and also make joint information dissemination through the organization and participation in exchange platforms and events. 

DiMSUR and ADPC will work in consultation with each other to identify appropriate ways to implement this Memorandum, so that they are an unavoidable asset to be used for the benefit of the populations of both continents and the world.