Forum on flood management
International experts on flood management and Thai policy-makers gather for a two-day forum on flood management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery in an effort to identify ways of strengthening water resource delivery and disaster risk management while improving the country’s flood management system.
“ADB is pleased to co-host this knowledge sharing forum and to support the Government's efforts to identify strategic alternatives for strengthened flood management," said Kunio Senga, Director-General of ADB’s South East Asia Department, who will deliver opening remarks.
Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong will deliver the keynote address. Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Suravit Konsomboon will deliver opening remarks and Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) will offer concluding remarks.
Participants will also hear from experts from Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States about floods in their respective countries, and measures they took to reduce vulnerability to future floods. Three members of Thai planning committees will also speak about the country’s ambitious plans for future flood prevention.
Thailand experienced the worst flooding it has seen since 1942 after heavy rains in August and September 2011 swamped 63 provinces in the country. Roughly 13 million people were affected and some 1.6 million hectares of crops were lost. The flooding also caused production shutdowns and delays in the manufacturing sector.
The event is co-hosted by Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Board and takes place during 19-20 January 2012 in Bangkok.
ADB provided a grant of $3 million in emergency assistance to Thailand in November 2011 from the ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF). ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members -- 48 from the region.