Asian Network of Major Cities 21
Outline of the 6th Asian Crisis Management Conference on “Network for Crisis Management”

29 October 2008
Headquarters of the Governor of Tokyo

• The Asian Network of Major Cities 21 held the 6th Asian Crisis Management Conference in Kuala Lumpur.
• The theme of the conference was “Disaster Risk Management in Integration with Sustainable Development.” Approximately 80 experts from six cities participated, reflecting the strong interest of each city.
• Specific reports were provided by the cities on their best practices concerning crisis management, such as Malaysia’s initiatives to create a system for sharing disaster information and Singapore’s mechanisms for monitoring the shipment of hazardous substances. Each presentation elicited high interest from the participating cities.

1. Date

Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23, 2008

2. Venue

Berjaya Times Square Hotel and Convention Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3. Participating cities

Six cities (approximately 80 persons)
Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur (the host city), Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo (the organizing city)

4. Theme

“Disaster Risk Management in Integration with Sustainable Development”

5. Outline

Please refer to the Outline of the 6th Asian Crisis Management Conference below

6. Outcomes

(1) Brisk discussion was conducted among the participants on the further strengthening of ties and improvement of crisis management abilities, under a shared awareness that comprehensive measures for crisis management are essential for the sustainable growth of Asia’s major cities.
(2) It was confirmed that the work of the Network for Crisis Management will be steadily advanced based on the Mid-term Plan (FY 2007-2010). It was also agreed to grasp the current conditions existing in each city in order to study the establishment of a scheme for intercity assistance in the event of a disaster.
(3) It was agreed to strengthen the system for relaying information using the Emergency Hot Line.
(4) It was agreed that member cities will take an active stance to call out to each other for participation in their respective disaster drills and training programs.
(Note: Tokyo called out to all the member cities to participate in Tokyo’s Comprehensive Disaster Management Drill conducted each year in September.)
(5) It was agreed to hold the 7th Asian Crisis Management Conference in 2009 in Tokyo.

Overview of the 6th Asian Crisis Management Conference

1. Opening session

(1) Opening address: Dato HJ. Abdul Halim, Director General, Malaysian Civil Defence Department
(2) Congratulatory address from the ANMC21 Secretariat: Toshiyuki Shikata, Counselor to the Governor of Tokyo
(3) Keynote address: Dato Chor Chee Heung, Vice Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysia

2. Paper presentation by Kuala Lumpur

(1) National Security Council: “Crisis and Disaster Management in Malaysia”
(2) Malaysia Center for Remote Sensing: “The Use of Remote Sensing Technology for Disaster Management Application”
(3) Malaysia Civil Defence Department: “Flood Disaster Management—MCDD Experience”
(4) Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS): “Emergency Medical Services During Disaster”
(5) MERCY Malaysia: “Volunteer Involvement in Disaster Assistance”
(6) Royal Malaysian Police (RMP): “Public Order Enforcement During Disaster & Crisis Situation—RMP Experience”

3. Paper Presentation by Member Cities

(1) Jakarta Provincial Government: “Flood Disaster Management in Jakarta Capital City Government”
(2) Singapore Civil Defence Force: “Managing HazMat on Public Roads”
(3) Taipei Fire Department: “Introduction of Emergency Operations Center of Taipei City”
(4) Disaster Prevention Division, Bureau of General Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government: “Toward Prompt and Precise Disaster Response—Gathering and Delivering Disaster Information”
(5) Tokyo Police Department: “The Counterterrorism Strategy in Tokyo”
(6) Tokyo Fire Department: “Corps Operation of Tokyo Fire Department”

4. Inspection Visits

(1) SMART Tunnel
The SMART Tunnel is a tunnel used by vehicles in normal conditions, but when floods are forecasted, it serves as a facility for the temporary passage of stormwater. It was constructed with the dual aim of providing solutions for floods and reducing traffic congestion. Following an explanation by the control center on the operational status of the SMART Tunnel, an inspection was conducted of the tunnel itself.

(2) ITIS Control Centre
This is a traffic information system which monitors traffic conditions within the city on a 24-hour basis, gathers and analyzes the data, and provides the information to relevant entities. An inspection was conducted on the operational status of this system.