Community Initiative Society (CIS) and Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) jointly organized an International Symposium on “Heating Planet, Conflict, and Crisis Management: Building Resilience and International Cooperation in a Changing World” in Dhaka on 21 October, 2025.
The symposium was held in connection with “Strengthening Capacity for Sustainable Disaster Management Network by involving multi-sectoral platform.” as a partnership between leading disaster management organizations that are in a strong position to tap and build upon multi-sector platforms in the region which is being jointly implemented by CIS and A-PAD. The symposium will focus to explore strategies for enhancing resilience in the face of global disruptions such as climate change, pandemics, and economic crises and to highlight the importance of international cooperation in addressing transboundary challenges. TAKAHASHI Naoki, Minister, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan to Bangladesh is the Honorable guest of this international symposium and appreciates the overall programs arranged by A-PAD Bangladesh& CIS.
He discussed on the collaborative contribution of Japan & Bangladesh government for disaster management and the understanding of crisis management & building resilience for international cooperation in this changing world. The international symposium was started by the welcome address from Md. Golam Mostofa, Executive Director, CIS. Nobutaka Miyahara, Senior Advisor, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD)gave an overview of A-PAD activities on South-Asia region. Md. Zillur Rahman, PhD, Additional Police Commissioner, Dhaka Metropolitan Police discussed on collaborative role of Bangladesh police in disaster management interventions, health institutions and community networks to strengthen early warning systems, secure evacuation routes, and ensure the safety of vulnerable populations. K M Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief discussed on role of Governmentin crisis management during & after disaster and develop different management policies to reduce disaster damages & rapid recovery phase. Prof Quazi Quamruzzaman, Chairman, CIS, A-PAD & DCHT shared his experiences on DRM and discussed on role of community in DRM sector and importance of multi sector involvement in disaster management.
The citable panelists of the symposium wereProf. Dr. Mohammad Mohinuzzaman, Chairman, Dept. of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University. Tahera Ahsan, Executive Director, JBCCI, Firzan Hashim, Chief Operating Officer (COO), A-PAD, Muhammad Ferdaus, Coordinator, Disaster Management, Brac University, Dr. Tasneem Arefa Siddiqui, Professor, Department of Political Science, Dhaka University, Ms. SHOJI Izumi, Senior Representative,Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Bangladesh Office, Megumi KUWANA, Faculty of International Studies Department of International Studies, Kindai University, Shams Mansoor Ghani , Assistant Professor, Post Graduate Program, Department of Disaster Management, Brac University,Athea M. Penaloza, Executive Director, A-PAD Philippines &Dr. Gazi Jased Ahmed, PhD-Nagasaki University-Japan, Professor & Unit Head, DCMC and other participants of the symposium were from the International and Local Platforms including from A-PAD member countries,Universities, NGOs and stakeholders from Government of Bangladesh, A-PAD partners, private Sectors, civil society and members of CIS & DCH Trust. The international symposium was moderated by Sadia Samad Mou, Dr. ANM Risalat Islam &Dr. Umme Habiba Tripti.
The 3-hours long symposium ended with a vote of thanks. The participants were interactive and also vowed to bring about a change in the situation. Overall, there was an atmosphereto establish a clear concept on crisis management and reduction of damages of disasters and sharing experiences on disaster risk management.
