Expressing sadness over the significant loss of life and property caused by natural and man-made disasters in ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Participants and other countries in recent years; honoring the victims and the affected people and showing appreciation to all first responders and rescuers involved and expressing deep concern over the catastrophic consequences of disasters and their negative impact on sustainable development of the economy, society and the environment in affected countries;

Recalling the principles of the various disaster management documents of the ARF and other regional and international organizations, including the 2006 ARF Statement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, 2007 ARF General Guidelines for Disaster Relief Cooperation, 2010 ARF Strategic Guidance for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, ASEAN Vision 2025 on Disaster Management, 2016 ASEAN Declaration on One ASEAN, One Response: ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One in the Region and Outside the Region; 2017 ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Disaster Health Management, and the recommendations made therein, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals;