The curtains have drawn on the much-anticipated Crisis Management Conference 2025 in the vibrant heart of Bangkok. Delegates from 13 cities around the globe have pledged to fortify their efforts in urban disaster preparedness. This commitment comes at a crucial time, as climate-related emergencies continue to rear their unpredictable heads worldwide.
The event, hosted by the bustling Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), took place at the prestigious Asawin Grand Convention Hotel. Over two compelling days, experts from cities like Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo huddled together under the theme “Collaboration for Crisis Management.” The air was charged with purpose as attendees brainstormed on how to buffer their urban jungles against impending crises.
While the first day was all about sharing and strategizing, the second day saw delegates embarking on a field trip to observe cutting-edge high-rise rescue operations and advanced flood management systems. This hands-on experience was a testament to the conference’s objective of melding innovation with practical solutions.
The keynote speech, delivered by Bangkok’s Deputy Governor, Tavida Kamolvej, was as riveting as it was urgent. With the realities of a rapidly changing climate looming large, Tavida called for a paradigm shift from merely responding to emergencies to actively building resilient infrastructures. Her speech drew from Bangkok’s harrowing 49-day clampdown on a major disaster, which tested the city’s urban search and rescue capabilities like never before.
“The trials we faced weren’t just about immediate disaster management but also about rallying our urban search and rescue troops,” Tavida said passionately. “We must position ourselves better for what’s to come, and not just play catch-up when disaster strikes.”
Delving deeper into the heart of Bangkok’s vulnerabilities, Tavida painted a picture of a city grappling with rising sea levels and erratic weather patterns. She humorously pointed out the “rain bombs” that plague the city—floods brewed up by weather systems even Bangkok’s infrastructure finds hard to stomach. As she put it, “Our infrastructure was always a no-show at the assembly of modern climate configurations.”
With a twinkle in her eye, she proposed an imaginative idea: apartments bundled not with customary furniture packages, but with high-tech sensors designed to detect tremors and other structural anomalies. “Why not wrap our residents in a cloak of technological safety, sparing them the anxiety of unnecessary relocations?” she pondered aloud.
Throughout the whirlwind conference, a call resonated for bridging gaps between academic pursuits and field practices, particularly highlighting the disparities in governmental and educational structures that sometimes impede disaster response efficacy. Tavida passionately advocated for an evolution in laws and procedures to ensure inclusiveness and agility, particularly for Bangkok’s vulnerable demographics.
In a series of fascinating panel discussions, Thai experts illuminated the room with insights into Thailand’s national disaster management system. Technological marvels like drones, IoT systems, and rapid-response mechanisms were paraded as game-changers, not merely for their innovation but for the life-saving potential they possess. Duangnapa Uttamangkapong underscored the need for aligning technology with community-rooted solutions, emphasizing the power of ground-level engagement in disaster scenarios.
The conference brimmed with successful tales of international collaboration, painting vivid pictures of Singapore’s rigorous training regimes, Malaysia’s community-centric drills, and Metro Manila’s pioneering flood mitigation schemes. Tokyo stole the spotlight with its brilliant showcase of advancements in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) preparedness, a piece de résistance in the global disaster response tapestry.
As the conference wound down, its highlight report from the Crisis Management Network Secretariat unfurled tales of capacity building, honing human resources and sharing knowledge across borders. This year, the network marked its 22nd chapter with joint exercises alongside Tokyo’s Fire Department, international courses spearheaded by Singapore, and far-reaching disaster prevention programs in Taipei.
A stunning announcement revealed that Seoul had bagged the honor of hosting the 2026 leg of this thought-provoking conference. Kwon Hyuk-min, steering Seoul’s Fire and Disaster Department, enthusiastically revealed Seoul’s game plan to uplift global resilience through tech mastery and citizen involvement. With past hosting credits in 2005, 2011, and 2017, Seoul stands poised to bring finesse and fresh ideas to the forthcoming gathering.
Bangkok’s Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, added a poignant closure with reflections heavy on the inevitability of urban crises pressing upon Bangkok’s doorstep. Referencing a recent seismic scare in Myanmar that toppled a towering structure in Bangkok, Chadchart remarked, “Our proximity to unforeseen crises grows shorter with each tick of the clock.”
His somber yet hopeful words lingered, drawing strength from the rallying cry for combining experience with technology in disaster mitigation. A nod to drone technology, Chadchart described them as “your third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh eyes in the air,” a testament to their invaluable role in crisis preparation.
As delegates wrapped up the conference, the city’s streets echoed with exhibitions spotlighting vulnerable urban populations, road safety, and urban flooding—a vivid portrayal of Bangkok’s commitment to a future safeguarded through technological leaps and human cooperation.
The overarching mantra of the conference remained undisputed: resilient cities are forged through unyielding international alliances, technological triumphs, and a steadfast pledge to community involvement, especially as the climate’s unpredictable hand remolds our world.
It’s great to see cities thinking ahead, but are they truly prepared for the unpredictability of climate change?
Paul, cities like Bangkok are making strides, but we still have a long way to go. Resilience isn’t achievable overnight.
That’s fair, Jenna. I just hope initiatives like these aren’t all just for show.
Right? What if this is all just political posturing?
We have to start somewhere, even if it’s small steps.
Allowing innovation to drive these initiatives is crucial. High-tech senses in apartments sound like an expensive venture though.
The tech isn’t cheap, Sophia, but neither is disaster recovery. Sometimes investments are necessary.
That’s a good point, Mike. Balancing cost with benefits is key.
Right! And think of the potential savings in loss of life and property.
Expensive today, but potentially life-saving tomorrow.
Did anyone else find Tavida’s speech about rain bombs a bit terrifying but also hilarious?
I did, but it’s a real concern for cities like Bangkok.
True, it’s like a horror movie waiting to happen.
We need humor sometimes to get through the impending doom.
Seoul hosting the next conference is exciting. I’m curious how they plan to use tech mastery to enhance resilience.
Seoul has always been a leader in urban tech. Their smart city initiatives are impressive.
That’s reassuring. We need more tech leaders in these discussions.
As part of Kwon’s department, I can say we’re ready to showcase some groundbreaking solutions.
I think they’ll focus a lot on citizen engagement too. That’s equally important.
Bangkok’s efforts are commendable, but will all these advancements really make a difference when huge disasters hit?
Sam, we must start somewhere. Not acting is not an option.
I get that, Jenny, but sometimes it feels like we’re just playing catch-up.
Progress is often slow but necessary.
Governments and educational institutions need to work more closely together. Bridging that gap is essential.
The idea of using drones for disaster response is brilliant! They really are like our extra eyes.
Drones and IoT systems are the future of crisis management. Can’t wait to see more of this technology in action.
Will these international collaborations actually translate into real action, or is it just another layer of bureaucracy?
International cooperation often moves slow, but it’s essential for big problems like climate change.
Let’s hope they actually take the resolutions seriously this time.
We need more community-centered solutions. Technology alone can’t save us.
Agreed, Mark. Without community engagement, technology can’t reach its full potential.
Why is Tokyo always stealing the spotlight with tech advancements? Time for others to step up too!
Local resilience building is key. We can’t always rely on global solutions.
Interesting how different cities have different focuses. Community-centric drills in Malaysia sound particularly impactful.
Bangkok’s commitment to a tech-savvy future is inspiring. Can more cities emulate this?
Joint exercises and international courses are great, but how accessible are they to poorer regions?