1.

On 15 January, the AHA Centre Executive Programme (ACE Programme) was launched in Jakarta. The launching ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Kimihiro Ishikane, then-Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. AKP Mochtan, Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporates Affairs, Mr.Said Faisal, AHA Centre Executive Director, and 12 trainees from National Disaster Management Organization (NDMO) of 8 ASEAN Member States.

2.

ACE Programme constitutes a part of “Disaster Emergency Logistic System for ASEAN (DELSA)”, conducted under the funding by Japan ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). 2 NDMO officers from each ASEAN Member State will be attached to AHA Centre for 6 months to be trained as ASEAN Leaders in disaster management by acquiring relevant knowledge and capability through on-the-job training, lecture on ASEAN regional mechanism and efforts in disaster management, hands-on training on logistic management and customs clearance, participation in relief activities and study visit to Japan. Three batches of trainees are expected to be sent to AHA Centre during the DELSA project by 2015 and this is the first batch which includes 15 trainees from 8 ASEAN Member States.

3.

At the opening remarks, Amb.Ishikane briefed on Japan’s assistance to ASEAN in disaster management and its concrete outcomes while wishing this programme to contribute to foster ASEAN Leaders in disaster management. ASEAN Secretariat and AHA Centre, on their side, expressed their sincere gratitude to Japan for its assistance in disaster management, stating that ASEAN has made good use of Japan’s assistance in their disaster relief activities and that has resulted in the enhancement of ASEAN’s disaster management capability.

4.

It is expected that this programme will contribute to the enhancement of disaster management capability of ASEAN as a whole by strengthening NDMO officials’ capacity and the network among them.