Experts from the U.S. and the four Lower Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam Sept 12 gathered at meeting in Ho Chi Minh City to share practical knowledge and experiences in disaster management. The event is jointly held by the Vietnamese Ministries of Defense; Agriculture and Rural Development and U.S. Pacific Command, until Sept 16, aiming to improve management capacity and mitigate disaster risks among the four nations. Participants also discuss ways to response to possible disasters of food and water shortage, public health concerns, and pandemic control; identify national priorities and challenges; work together to develop common approaches to address specific challenges. The event not only facilitates dialogue among the LMI partner countries, but also crucially connects civilian and military officials within and among our countries.
“Effective civilian-military partnership is essential to disaster and pandemic preparedness and response,” Consul General An Le said.
The seminar is part of the Lower Mekong Initiative, launched in 2009 by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the foreign ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam to enhance the regional cooperation to better respond to common challenges and opportunities in the fields of education, environment, health, and infrastructure. (Tuoi Tre – Youth Sept 12, Tien Phong – Pioneer Sept 13 p14, Lao Dong – Labor Sept 3)
