Joint Press Statement for the APEC Workshop on Private Sector Emergency Preparedness in Sendai

By the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America

August 3, 2011

Reaffirming a strong commitment to cooperate within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to encourage disaster and emergency preparedness, the governments of Japan and the United States co-hosted the APEC Workshop on Private Sector Emergency Preparedness in Sendai, Japan Aug. 1-3. The Sendai workshop is an important step toward realizing the joint commitment originally established by both governments in March 2010.

State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chiaki Takahashi headed the Japanese delegation, and U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness Timothy W. Manning led the U.S. delegation.

The workshop focused on improving private sector emergency preparedness, bringing together experts from the public and private sectors to share ideas and experience with representatives from APEC economies. Themes included strengthening business and supply chain resilience as well as engaging the private sector in business continuity planning as part of a broader effort to facilitate trade and investment in the Asia- Pacific region.