Output
1) Background Research Paper
A Background Research Paper (minimum of 10 pages excluding annexes) shall be researched and submitted at least 1–2 months prior to the Workshop. The paper will serve as an essential technical foundation for the project, providing good insights, analyses, and experiences that inform discussions and outputs during the Workshop event.
This Background Research Paper will compile inputs and experiences from diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, academia, experts, businesses, community organizations frequently exposed to disasters. It will draw on existing research, studies, and analytical reports, as well as interviews with relevant practitioners in emergency disaster management. The Background Research Paper will tentatively consist of the following three main sections:
- Overview of recent disasters and preparedness capacity among APEC economies (at least 03 APEC member economies that can collectively represent different levels of development, governance structures, and disaster risk contexts within APEC region)
Analysis of major disasters occurring in APEC member economies in recent years, including their scale, frequency, and socio-economic impacts.
Assessment of each economy’s level of preparedness and response capacity, with particular attention to on-the-spot decision-making mechanisms, early warning systems, and community-based rapid response.
Identification of existing regional cooperation mechanisms, gaps, and challenges in achieving timely and coordinated responses.
- Case studies on effective on-the-spot approaches in emergency preparedness and response
Presentation of at least three case studies from different APEC economies illustrating how on-the-spot approaches (e.g., real-time coordination, local rapid assessment, immediate resource mobilization, use of technology or local knowledge in emergency response) have improved outcomes in disaster management.
Comparative analysis of enabling factors, institutional arrangements, use of digital tools, and community participation that contributed to successful implementation.
Lessons learned from both successful and less effective practices.
- Policy recommendations and proposed framework for strengthening on- the-spot disaster response capacity in the APEC region
A set of policy recommendations and best practices for enhancing emergency preparedness and on-the-spot response capacity, adaptable to various APEC contexts.
Identification of training, coordination, and resource-sharing mechanisms that could be promoted through APEC cooperation.
Suggestions on how to integrate the “on-the-spot approach” into existing APEC disaster risk reduction (DRR) and emergency management frameworks.
The Workshop will then provide economy participants and stakeholders with the opportunity to review, validate, and discuss the findings of this Background Research Paper, as well as to exchange views on feasible implementation pathways for improving disaster preparedness and response efficiency across APEC member economies.
2) 2-Day Workshop
A 2-day Workshop will be organized in Viet Nam in the third quarter of 2026 to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices on enhancing APEC members’ emergency disaster preparedness and response capacity through the utilization of on-the-spot approaches. The Workshop will gather representatives from APEC member economies, international and regional organizations, academia, experts, and practitioners involved in disaster management.
The event aims to strengthen understanding of the importance of on-the- spot decision-making and rapid response mechanisms during disasters; share case studies and successful practices from different APEC economies; discuss technological and community-based innovations that support immediate responses; and identify policy recommendations and cooperative measures to improve regional coordination and capacity building.
Over two days (7–8 hours per day), the Workshop will consist of presentation sessions and panel discussions for each of the key themes such as: (i) the role of on-the-spot approaches in disaster preparedness and response; (ii) case studies from APEC economies; (iii) use of digital tools and data for rapid decision-making; and (iv) policy and institutional frameworks for strengthening local capacities. Before ending the event, participants will all be joining a recap session to finalize all the discussion key points from the event. The organizer will take note all the discussion key points during the event and will have it ready for all participants to comment in the recap session. The final note taking version will be the material to present in the Workshop Report.
For further description of the Workshop event, a draft agenda shall be expected as follow:
Day 1:
Registration [8:00 AM] Opening Remarks [08:30 AM]
Session 1: Overview of recent disaster situation in the APEC region [08:45 AM]
APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC) Q&A
Session recap
Tea Time [10:00 AM]
Panel Discussion [10:30 AM]
APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC) Q&A
Session recap Lunch [12:00 PM]
Session 2: Sharing of emergency disaster response efforts [01:30 PM] APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC)
Q&A
Session recap
Tea Time [03:00 PM]
Panel Discussion [03:30 PM]
APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC) Q&A
Session recap
Day 1 Wrap-up & Preparations for Day 2 [04:45 PM] Day 2:
Registration [08:00 AM]
Recap of Day 1 [08:30 AM]
Session 3: Discussion on possible challenges to emergency disaster response efforts utilizing the available local resources [09:00 AM] APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC)
Q&A
Session recap
Tea time [10:00 AM]
Group discussion [10:30 AM]
Participants work in small groups to discuss key questions or undertake exercises designed to stimulate critical thinking and collective problem- solving on the selected topic.
Panel Discussion [11:15 AM]
APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC) Q&A
Session recap
Lunch [12:00 PM]
Session 4: Discussion on possible next steps [01:30 PM] APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC) Q&A
Panel Discussion [02:30 PM]
APEC Member Economies and Experts Presentation (TBC) Q&A
Session recap
Tea time [03:30 PM]
Focus discussion for all participants altogether [04:00 PM] APEC Member Economies and Experts discussion
Day 2 wrap up - Workshop reflections [04:30 PM]
A free interactive online platform will be used to collect participants’ questions and comments during sessions. Workshop materials, including presentations and expert papers, will be shared with participants. A post- Workshop survey will be conducted to evaluate effectiveness, collect feedback, and identify potential areas for follow-up cooperation. Findings and recommendations from the Workshop will be reflected in the Workshop Report to support future APEC initiatives on disaster preparedness and emergency response.
3) Workshop Report (APEC Publication)
Workshop Report shall be prepared, providing a comprehensive summary of key discussions, findings, and policy recommendations emerging from the Workshop. The Report will be submitted to the APEC Secretariat and the Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) for review and endorsement, and is intended to be published on the APEC website as an official APEC publication. The Report is expected to be at least 13 pages in length, excluding annexes.
The summary of the Workshop will capture the main themes of the sessions, major points of discussion, shared perspectives among participants, and practical insights presented by experts and member economies. It will also include highlights of the survey results, reflecting participants’ feedback on the effectiveness, relevance, and potential follow-up actions of the Workshop.
The key policy recommendations will focus on feasible actions that APEC economies can adopt to enhance their disaster emergency preparedness and on-the-spot response capacities. These may include promoting real-time coordination mechanisms, strengthening local rapid response systems, enhancing policy and technical capacity-building activities, and fostering multi-stakeholder cooperation across public, private, and community sectors. Member economies may consider integrating these recommendations into their existing disaster management frameworks to improve efficiency and resilience.
The Background Research Paper developed prior to the Workshop will be included as an annex to the Workshop Report, providing analytical context and supporting evidence for the discussions and recommendations contained in the Workshop Report.
Outcome
In the Short-Term: The Workshop aims to enhance participants’ knowledge, awareness, and practical skills in improving emergency preparedness and disaster response through the on-the-spot approach, emphasizing rapid decision-making, localized coordination, and immediate resource mobilization. This outcome will be measured through Workshop evaluation surveys and the Workshop Report, reflecting participants’ understanding and capacity improvements. The organizers expect that the Workshop will have a positive impact on promoting timely and effective on-the- spot actions across APEC member economies. By strengthening operational readiness and local response mechanisms, the project contributes to reducing disaster losses and improving resilience, especially in economies frequently affected by severe disasters.
The Workshop Report and Background Research Paper will be disseminated through the APEC website and relevant channels of member economies, reaching policymakers, practitioners, and community-level responders. Participants - particularly those from developing economies - are expected to apply the lessons and experiences shared at the Workshop within their domestical or local disaster management systems.
The outcomes will serve as new resources for APEC to guide member economies on applying and institutionalizing on-the-spot approaches in emergency disaster management. These resources - comprising two major deliverables (the Background Research Paper and Workshop Report) will inform research materials, policy development, training programs, and capacity-building initiatives within the APEC framework.
The Workshop will also promote policy coherence and harmonization among APEC economies by reviewing and discussing ongoing preparedness and response strategies. The degree of improvement in coordination and alignment can be assessed through a post-Workshop survey, evaluating participants’ views on whether the event successfully generated recommendations for enhanced collaboration and joint action.
In the Long Term: The Workshop Report, incorporating interventions, policy measures, and recommendations shared during the event, will be a key deliverable and reference tool for APEC economies to strengthen their on-the-spot disaster preparedness and response capacity.
These recommendations will encourage follow-up actions and future APEC initiatives aimed at improving readiness, facilitating knowledge exchange, and enhancing joint response capabilities among economies. The Report will serve as a resource and guidance document for policymakers in designing or updating domestical and regional disaster management frameworks.
The Workshop is also expected to foster stronger coordination and engagement among policymakers, emergency disaster management agencies, experts, and private sector actors in the region. In the longer term, this enhanced collaboration will contribute to building a more resilient and adaptive APEC community, capable of responding swiftly and effectively to disasters and safeguarding sustainable socio-economic development across the APEC region.
Beneficiaries
- All APEC economies are welcome to participate in the project. In particular, relevant government leaders and agencies such as the domestical disaster management authorities (e.g., ministries or agencies responsible for disaster prevention, civil protection, emergency management, or disaster mitigation), international NGOs, intergovernmental organizations (humanitarian field organizations such as UN agencies e.g., UNDRR, OCHA, UNDP, WMO... or other relevant international and regional development organizations), researchers or experts in hydrometeorological, water resources management and disaster management are all encouraged to participate and benefited.
- The primary beneficiaries of the project will be participants from APEC member economies, including the public (government officials), private and academic sectors.
- The secondary beneficiaries of the project will be: (1) Community-based responders, local leaders, and civil defense personnel will benefit from the transfer of knowledge, tools, and strategies adapted to their resource settings; (2) the APEC communities who are better protected, receive faster assistance, and suffer fewer losses during emergencies.
