East Asia Summit Adopts Landmark Localization Statement for Disaster Preparedness

The East Asia Summit (EAS), held on October 27, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, announced the adoption of a significant Leaders' Statement focusing on Localization in Anticipatory Action for Disaster Preparedness and Response. This decision underscores the commitment of member countries to bolster local capabilities and community resilience in disaster scenarios.

The agreement reflects on earlier commitments, such as the 2009 Cha-am Hua Hin Statement on Disaster Management, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in disaster strategies. Leaders highlighted the efficacy of anticipatory actions taken before disasters, facilitated by active local participation in response planning and execution by authorities, communities, and private sectors.

The statement reinforces the principle of localization, aligning with major frameworks including the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and the Sendai Framework. EAS leaders recognize that empowering communities to prepare and act can mitigate vulnerabilities effectively, promoting tailored risk assessments driven by science and technology.

Furthermore, the statement urges enhanced cooperation at national and regional levels, involving various stakeholders, to foster resilience and minimize disaster impacts. It emphasizes the development of updated risk assessments and recognizes the role of risk-informed investments in long-term resilience.

The leaders affirmed their commitment to international disaster management obligations, pledging to strengthen regional collaboration and share best practices. They stress the importance of local investment in anticipatory capacities, integrating risk reduction measures into recovery efforts, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.

The declaration also calls for improved local early warning systems and supports empowering local entities in preparedness and action, recognizing the cultural knowledge of communities as vital to disaster response. It proposes exploring national-level guidelines for rapid, informed anticipatory actions.