PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, 15 July 2026 — The Lao Disaster Preparedness Partnership (LDPP) has assumed the regional co-chairship of the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) Regional Steering Committee for the 2026–2027 term, succeeding the Preparedness Partnership of Cambodia (PPC).

The formal handover took place on 14 July 2026 at the conclusion of the 10th APP Regional Steering Committee (APPRSC) Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The meeting brought together representatives of the seven National Preparedness Partnerships from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, together with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Gates Foundation.

Held under the theme “Institutionalizing National Preparedness Partnerships and Scaling Locally Led Preparedness and Resilience: Lessons, Pathways, and the Way Forward,” the meeting reviewed progress made since the 9th APPRSC Meeting and examined pathways for institutionalizing and sustaining national partnerships beyond the current phase of APP. Participants also discussed lessons from locally led initiatives supported through the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund and identified emerging priorities for the future direction of the partnership. During the handover ceremony, the outgoing co-chairs of PPC formally transferred the leadership role to LDPP representatives.

Figure 1: Representatives from Lao Disaster Preparedness Partnership assuming the Co-Chair ship of APPRSC from PPC

In accepting the co-chairship, LDPP acknowledged the responsibility of guiding the regional partnership during a period of increasing disaster risks and changing development-financing conditions. Its priorities for the coming term include strengthening private-sector leadership in resilience, translating national policies into community-level action, expanding the use of technology and data for early warning and preparedness, and reinforcing collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector.

Mr. Aslam Perwaiz, Executive Director of ADPC, acknowledged the leadership of the National Committee for Disaster Management of Cambodia, the PPC co-chairs, and the Royal Government of Cambodia during the previous term. He welcomed Lao PDR’s leadership as APP advances towards greater institutionalization, sustainability, and regional cooperation.

Figure 2: Mr. Aslam Perwaiz, providing his welcome remarks at the 10th APPRSC, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Reflecting on the importance of maintaining effective partnerships, Dr. Chhin Ken, Secretary General of the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia and PPC Co-Chair, said:

Figure 3: “Forming a team is relatively easy—sustaining one over the long term is much harder.” – Dr. Chhin Ken

The leadership transition coincides with the tenth anniversary of APP and the 40th anniversary of ADPC. Over the past decade, APP has promoted a multi-stakeholder approach to disaster preparedness by bringing together government agencies, civil society organizations, private-sector networks, academic institutions, and local actors to strengthen locally led preparedness and resilience.

In the opening session of the meeting, Dr. Sisira Madurapperuma, at ADPC, delivered the presentation “APP at 10: A Decade of Evolution.” He traced APP’s development from establishing National Preparedness Partnerships during 2016–2019, to strengthening systems, standards, and coordination during 2019–2023, and advancing institutionalization, sustainability, and locally led action during 2023–2026. The presentation highlighted APP’s contribution to building cross-sector trust, strengthening national and local preparedness systems, expanding flexible financing for community-level action, and promoting regional learning.

Figure 4: Dr. Sisira Madurapperuma, showcasing APP @ 10

Dr. Madurapperuma also outlined APP’s institutional foundation within the ADPC International Charter and its alignment with ADPC Strategy 2030 and the Strategic Action Plan 2026–2030, emphasizing the need to sustain partnerships, finance local action, scale effective approaches, and keep local leadership at the centre of future disaster preparedness efforts.

LDPP will serve as APPRSC co-chair for the 2026–2027 term and will work with APP members and the ADPC Secretariat to advance the partnership’s strategic priorities ahead of the 11th APPRSC Meeting.

About the Asian Preparedness Partnership

Established in 2016, the Asian Preparedness Partnership is a regional multi-stakeholder platform that strengthens locally led disaster preparedness and resilience. It operates through National Preparedness Partnerships in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. APP is hosted by ADPC with support from the Gates Foundation.