Adexco 2023: Disaster industry exhibition concludes in Jakarta  

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) organised a national coordination meeting on March 2, 2023 in Jakarta. The event, titled "Strengthening Sustainable Resilience in Facing Disasters," was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo and concluded by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.


Speakers from the first discussion at Adexco 2023, where they looked at systemic risk and governance (Photo credit: Luavut Zahid)

The meeting was held to follow up on the President's message during the seventh Global Platform for Disaster held in Bali, which was attended by 185 countries. According to Raditya Jati, BNPB's Deputy for Systems and Strategy, the co-ordination meeting aimed to increase the country's disaster management and risk reduction capabilities.

To further boost awareness and understanding of disaster management and risk reduction, BNPB and industry players, PT Expoindo Kayanna Mandiri, jointly organised the Asia Disaster Management and Civil Protection Expo and Conference (Adexco) on March 2-3, 2023.

The exhibition showcased the latest technologies and solutions in disaster management and risk reduction, providing a platform for all elements of the nation to learn and collaborate. Through ADEXCO, BNPB aimed to strengthen the country's resilience in the face of disasters and ensure a sustainable future for all.

"Mr. President invites the global community to relate to sustainable resilience, or what we call sustainable resilience. This is a voice of invitation, because our resilience is very dynamic because we often face threats and disasters," said Raditya.

"Therefore, the implementation of the National Co-ordination Meeting this time is different from the previous National Co-ordination Meetings. We are side by side with the domestic disaster industrialisation exhibition. Disasters are here; if we are not prepared, how will we deal with pre- and post-disaster situations? The industry is here, and there is no need to import," he added.

The Director of Operations for Adexco, Andrian Cader, stated that Adexco is a concrete example of the collaboration between BNPB, the government, and the community. 

"We are trying to work together with the government and the community, so indeed this is a real form of collaboration. We feel that what we are targeting the right solutions with our hard work to jointly carry out sustainable resilience efforts echoed by the Indonesian government," said Andrian.

"So we are very grateful for the support from the Indonesian government, especially from the president of the Republic of Indonesia, the vice president of the Republic of Indonesia, and the head of BNPB and staff," he added.

Adexco, which carries the tagline "Reinforce Our Future for Sustainable Resilience," is expected to position Indonesia as a hub for disaster solutions in Asia. Along with partnering with BNPB, Adexco has the backing of the Co-ordinating Ministry for Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Indonesian National Police (Polri), and other private entities.

Adexco's theme this year had several important points of discussion; the conference programme revolved around a "Global Forum for Sustainable Resilience," which was held in three sessions as a meeting place to convey ideas and ideas from stakeholders related to disasters and which will present speakers from within and outside the country.

"It is hoped that this exhibition and conference can become a meeting place for the disaster industry and disaster-related stakeholders from within and outside the country. As well as being able to increase investment value in various fields so as to achieve resilient and sustainable disaster management," said Andrian.