Anticipatory action is gaining recognition as an essential component of disaster riskmanagement, offering timely, cost-efficient, and flexible support to vulnerable communitiesfacing hydro-meteorological hazards like as droughts, typhoons, and floods. Although manygovernments are making progress in risk reduction, preparedness, and early warning systems,the dialogue around anticipatory action is still predominantly led by humanitarian anddevelopment organizations. For long-term sustainability, it is imperative that governments takethe lead in driving this conversation and defining the terms of engagement. Inter-governmentalorganizations are key in promoting this shift, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the ASEANFramework on Anticipatory Action and similar frameworks or action plans in Africa, theCaribbean, and the Pacific. These frameworks help governments align national priorities,encourage the exchange of experiences to build confidence in national strategies, and fostercollaborative actions.

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations to facilitate a dialogue on "Intergovernmental Organizations’ Cooperation onAnticipatory Action" at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2024at Manila Philippines. Deputy Executive Director of ADPC, Mr Aslam Perwaiz joined as a panelistwith representatives from BNPB, Indonesia, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC), NCDM, Cambodia, VDDMA, Vietnam, Permanent Interstate Committee for droughtcontrol in the Sahel (CILSS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and PacificIsland Forum Secretariat.

The discussion brought forward the need for regional intergovernmental organizationsworldwide to collaborate and shape the anticipatory action agenda, empower decision-makers,and integrate anticipatory action into global disaster risk reduction and climate changeadaptation frameworks. Deputy Executive Director highlighted the need to build disaster-resilient and safe communities, where efforts must be made to unify diverse communitiesthrough ecological and financial approaches, while staying committed to poverty reduction. Healso highlighted that anticipatory action should be integrated into existing policies, and disasterrisk reduction (DRR) and disaster risk management (DRM) plans must clearly outline actions andnecessary financing. Strengthening capacities for early warning systems and risk identificationis crucial for advancing resilience and success of anticipatory action.

The discussion summarized the need for looking into the history of the term "Anticipatory Action" and add value to strengthen existing standards for AA, taking a multi-hazard risk approach, enabling laws, linking AA to current social protection system pre-defined financing for AA and technology, buy-in from other agencies, agreement on triggers and regional cooperation. A consensus was reached that IGOs can play role in promoting this new approach, harmonizing standards, develop agenda of the system, collaboration amongst IGOs with support from national governments. It was concluded that Anticipatory Action should be seen in the broader context of Early Warning for All, Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation.