2010 International Conference on Emergency Management

Following the SARS crisis in 2003 and a number of severe natural disasters, China's efforts to reform disaster risk management now focus on improved disaster preparedness and the efficient coordination of disaster response measures.

Against this backdrop, the 2010 International Conference on Emergency Management was held in Beijing from 19 to 20 June. The conference brought together some 400 participants from 20 countries, including high-ranking Chinese and international decision-makers, government officials, scientific experts and researchers. Germany was represented by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and its subordinate institutions, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief and the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, as well as senior officials from other disaster risk management and civil protection bodies in Germany.

The conference focused on experiences gained, and on the various approaches taken by different countries to disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It also aimed to intensify international cooperation and create a basis for continued professional exchange. Last but not least, the conference brought together all the major Chinese disaster risk management actors for the first time.

The conference was organised by the China Academy of Governance, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the State Administration of Work Safety. The GTZ team from the Sino-German 'Disaster Risk Management' project also contributed to the event as co-organisers.

The conference was opened by the Secretary General and President of the China Academy of Governance, Mr Ma Kai, together with the German ambassador, Dr Michael Schäfer. The opening speeches were followed by the first round of keynote speeches delivered by vice ministers from the ministries involved, who discussed Chinese disaster management and its special characteristics. In addition to the Chinese contributions, two lectures were delivered by German and Indonesian speakers.

Expert forums on the following topics were held in the afternoon

• Trends and goals in disaster risk management at government level  
• Disaster risk management in the context of natural disasters and public health crises
• Industrial accidents and public safety
• Integration and application of a multidisciplinary disaster risk management system
• Disaster risk management in a market economy

The second day of the conference was devoted to multilateral cooperation for disaster risk management. Speakers included representatives of the Chinese armed forces, the Chinese Red Cross and the Emergency Management Office, who presented their respective roles in disaster management and the opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

In their concluding speeches the Vice President of the China Academy of Governance, Mr Hong Yi , and the State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Mr Klaus-Dieter Fritsche, underlined the huge importance of both international and Sino-German cooperation for disaster risk management.