Statement by

Mr. Jakkrit Srivali

Minister and Deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand

to the United Nations

on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

at the 64^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

New York, 7 December 2009

Agenda Item 70 (a) and (b):

Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian

and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations,

including special economic assistance

 As delivered

Mr. President,

1.      I have the honor to speak on behalf of the ten Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, VietNam and Thailand.

2.      ASEAN would like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive reports on the issues related to AgendaItem70.

Mr. President,

3.      Humanitarian and disaster relief assistance is an issue to which all ASEAN Member States give greatimportance. Many global challenges mentioned in the Secretary-General's reports are also challenges faced by ASEAN Member States. In this context, I wouldliketo shareASEAN's views on some key points as follows:

4.      First, ASEAN is gravely concerned about the changes in the pattern of natural hazards, specifically climate-related hazards. As mentioned in the Secretary-General's reports, climaterelated hazards caused 91 per cent of disasters in 2008, which is consistent with the trend of increasing climate-related disasters in recent years. It is alarming that, on average, some70 percent of disasters are now climate-related, compared to 50 percent two decades ago. Mr. President, this worri some trend should make clear what is at stake for all of us at the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change. ASEAN Member States are conunitted to participating actively and constructively in the deliberations to ensure a satisfactory outcome, which is vital in mitigating the impacts of increasing climate-related hazards.

5.      Second, ASEAN believes that enhancing capacity at the local and national levels mustbe a priority. Only then could we mitigate risks to populations and to ensurethe effectiveness of disaster preparedness, risk reduction and response operations. To achieve this end, leadership at both local andnational levels is vital.

6.      Third, ASEAN believes that regional leadership is crucial in order to complement local and national leadership. When national capacity proves to be insufficient in responding to an emergency situation, a regional response mechanism must be promptly activated to provide needed emergency assistance to shore up national response capacities.

7.      With this in mind, ASEAN Leaders pledged at the recent  ASEAN Summit in Thailand in October this year to enhance regional cooperation in disaster management. They instructed the ASEAN Disaster Management Conunittee to ensure effective and timely implementation of the ASEAN Standby Arrangements and Standard Operating Procedures, and a fully operational ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance. ASEAN Leaders also encouraged closer cooperation amongthe military, civilian and civil society organizations.

8.      At the same time, ASEAN is enhancing cooperation with our partners across East Asia. During the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Thailand in October this year, Leaders from 16 East Asian countries, namely the ten ASEAN Member States together with Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand adopted a Statement on EAS Disaster Management. In the Statement, East Asian countries expressed their determination to strengthen cooperation in developing integrated preparedness and disaster risk reduction capacities for transboundary, multi-hazard disasters, end-to-end early warning systems and response capacities in the region. East Asian Leaders envisaged enhanced linkages and networks among local, national and regional disaster management agencies 2 across East Asia, in cooperation with relevant international organizations. All 16 East Asian countries would worktogether to promote networking and sharing of best practices, experiences and operational manuals through the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise and other relevant simulation exercises, including withthe United Nations system.

9.      Fourth, Mr. President, ASEANbelieves in the synergy of partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations. In many emergency cases, while the United Nations can mobilize resources and expertise from the whole system to assist affected countries, regional organizations can provide critical advantages, for example as a diplomatic umbrella to facilitate smooth delivery of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. This is due to the regional organizations having better knowledge of sensitivities and specificities of local situations, closer contacts with local actors and, above all, a foundation of trust and confidence established overtime withthe affected countries.

10.      Here, the role played by ASEAN in partnership with the Government of Myanmar and the international community, acting through the United Nations, in response to Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 can offer a goodexample of such partnership. In the wake of the cyclone, a Tripartite Core Group (TCG) comprising the Government of Myanmar, ASEAN and the United Nations was established with the aim of promoting coordination and facilitation of delivery of humanitarian assistance on the ground. Today, the TCG is still active and is conducting joint planning for long-term recovery and preparedness in the affected areas through a Prioritized Action Plan. On 25 November this year, a Post-Nargis and Regional Partnership Conference was organized in Bangkok byASEAN in partnership with the United Nations. We welcome the fact that over US$88 million were mobilized during theConference to assistin the recovery activities.

11.      Fifth, ASEAN agrees with the Secretary-General that well-targeted, timely and needs-based humanitarian response plansprovide the bestbasisfor a properly functioning humanitarian financing system. We fully agree that adequate, predictable and timely funding is critical to an effective humanitarian response. We are of the view that greater effort shouldbe made to improve the quantity and quality of humanitarian funding, ensuregreater coherence among funding streams, and strengthen coordination on humanitarian fmancing tools with cluster leads and resident and humanitarian coordinators.

12.      In this connection, ASEAN strongly supports the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). We see the Fund as an essential part of the multilateral humanitarian financial architecture, which has enabled United Nations agencies to jump-start relief operations following sudden-onset disasters andfill gaps during emergencies. We welcome efforts to increase the Fund's effectiveness and strengthen its complementarity with other humanitarian financing mechanisms, including country based pooled funds and agency emergency funds. We join the call for all Member States to provide greater political and fmancial support to the Fundin orderto maintain its viability andensure that it will be ableto meetthe ever-increasing demands.

13.      Finally, Mr. President, ASEAN wouldlike to affirm our strongsupport for the safety and security of United Nations and other humanitarian personnel. We are saddened by the rising number of casualties among United Nations and humanitarian personnel due to violent attacks. We fully support ongoing efforts to strengthen the United Nations security management system to ensure better protection for men and women around the world who are  working for the Organization.

Thank you, Mr. President.