BRIDRREM Charter
（Revised Version on November 11, 2024, to be submitted to Council）
In recent years, the world has been hit by increasing and frequent extreme weather events and severe disasters due to climate change and other factors. Coupled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, these extreme weather events and disasters have seriously threatened the economic and social development of countries and lives and property of the people. It has become the common responsibility of the international community to strengthen global disaster governance, join hands to meet common challenges and effectively reduce disaster risks and losses. International initiatives such as the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, have been leading the global disaster governance and calling for jointly enhancing capabilities in disaster risk reduction by strengthening international cooperation, which has received positive responses. A growing number of countries have formulated and implemented national strategies for disaster risk reduction, participated in international and regional cooperation on disaster governance, and made positive contributions to improving the global disaster governance system.
In 2013, bearing in mind the common prosperity of all countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, which has brought tangible development dividends to all partner countries and become a popular global public good and a sound platform for international cooperation. Many developing countries that participated in the Belt and Road Initiative are at high risk of disasters and suffer from weak disaster resilience. As their economic and social development are seriously hindered by such situations, these countries strongly desire cooperation in disaster management. In April 2019, all attending parties reached an important consensus on "promoting cooperation in resilience and disaster-risk reduction and management" at the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The Ministry of Emergency Management of China initiated the Belt and Road International Cooperation Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management (BRIDRREM) and held the first Belt and Road Ministerial Forum for International Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management (BRIDRREM Forum) on November 3, 2021. The Beijing Declaration was issued at the Forum, marking the official launch of BRIDRREM. On November 16 in 2023, the 2023 Belt and Road Ministerial Forum for International Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management was held in which the BRIDRREM was officially launched and the First Council Meeting of BRIDRREM was held. Currently, the Belt and Road cooperation has entered a new phase of high-quality development. BRIDRREM has been incorporated into the eight major steps for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation announced at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization.
BRIDRREM focuses on three major areas: disaster risk reduction, work safety and emergency rescue. It is committed to carrying out dialogue and exchanges on strategic planning, policies, regulations and standards; sharing basic disaster-risk data, as well as monitoring and early-warning information; promoting the application and popularization of advanced technology and equipment and jointly improving international capacity-building for emergency rescue. As a new platform for global cooperation in emergency management, BRIDRREM will uphold the principle of mutual benefit, win-win outcomes, mutual learning, openness and inclusiveness, strengthen coordination with United Nations agencies and relevant international and regional organizations; establish more regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms in light of the conditions of different regions, promote bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation among Belt and Road countries, complement existing international and regional cooperation mechanisms to promote greater coordination and efficiency and jointly push for the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
I. Overview of BRIDRREM
(I) Nature: BRIDRREM is a non-profit intergovernmental cooperation platform among Belt and Road countries and regions in the fields of disaster risk reduction, work safety and emergency rescue.
(II) Vision: Upholding the people-centered development philosophy and the principle of “people first life first”, BRIDRREM aims to improve countries' disaster prevention capacity, enhance work safety, strengthen emergency rescue capacity, effectively prevent and address disaster risks, safeguard people's lives and properties, promote sustainable economic and social development, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.
(III) Goals:
1. Foster a platform for policy dialogue and communication. BRIDRREM follows the initiatives such as the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. By organizing the BRIDRREM Conference and other activities, BRIDRREM aims to promote the exchanges of ideas and policies among all parties, and provide policy suggestions for the safe development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
2. Foster a platform for sharing knowledge and information. Share knowledge, information and best practices in such fields as disaster risk reduction, work safety and emergency rescue, share experience in building disaster resilience, carry out emergency rescue exercises, strengthen safety education and training, and improve public safety awareness.
3. Foster a platform for technology exchange and innovation. Strengthen exchanges on disaster risk reduction, work safety and emergency technology and equipment, carry out pragmatic cooperation projects, build platforms for joint research and development (R&D) and technological innovation and promote the high-quality development of the safety and emergency industry.
(IV) Organizational structure:
BRIDRREM includes:
The BRIDRREM Council, the BRIDRREM Coordinator, and the Secretariat.
II. The BRIDRREM Council
(I) The Council is the highest decision-making body of BRIDRREM.
(II) The Council consists of Members and Partners. Members are the national emergency management authorities that voluntarily join BRIDRREM, abide by this Charter and are willing to carry out the Belt and Road International Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management by focusing on disaster risk reduction, work safety and emergency rescue. Each country shall have one Member in BRIDRREM. Each Member shall appoint one ministerial-level Councilor as its representative on the Council. Partners are relevant UN agencies, international and regional organizations, and emergency management authorities of other relevant countries.
(III) Duties include:
1. Approve and appoint the President and Vice Presidents of the Council;
2. Appoint the Secretary General of the Secretariat;
3. Approve the BRIDRREM Charter and its amendments;
4. Approve (or authorize the BRIDRREM Coordinator to approve) the accession and withdrawal of Council Members;
5. Approve (or authorize the BRIDRREM Coordinator to approve) the development strategies of BRIDRREM;
6. Review (or authorize the BRIDRREM Coordinator to review) annual work plans and annual reports of the Secretariat;
7. Approve the host of the BRIDRREM Conference;
8. Guide the work of the BRIDRREM Coordinator, and the Secretariat.
(IV) The Council is headed by a President and two Vice Presidents. The Councilor from the host of the current BRIDRREM Conference shall hold the post of the President, and be nominated by the Secretariat and appointed by the Council. The Vice Presidents shall be elected by the Council from its Councilors, and one of them may be the Councilor from the host of the next BRIDRREM Conference.
The duties of the President of the Council include:
1. Be committed to promoting the building and development of BRIDRREM;
2. Chair the Council Meeting;
3. Designate the Principal Coordinator of the BRIDRREM Coordinator;
4. Steer the formulation of relevant BRIDRREM strategies;
5. Sign relevant important documents with the authorization of the Council.
The duties of the Vice President of the Council include:
1. Assist the President of the Council;
2. Provide guidance and support for the BRIDRREM Coordinator, the Secretariat and the BRIDRREM Conference.
(V) Members:
1. Be responsible for providing policy advice for the development of BRIDRREM, promoting BRIDRREM partnership and increasing its international presence and attend the Council Meeting and jointly study major issues;
2. Join BRIDRREM as a member voluntarily, abide by this Charter, provide financial or intellectual support for BRIDRREM cooperation and actively participate in relevant activities;
3. Submit a written application to the Secretariat to join BRIDRREM as a member. After the preliminary review by the Secretariat, the application shall be submitted to the Council, which shall grant approval or authorize the BRIDRREM Coordinator to grant approval;
4. Submit a written application to the Secretariat to withdraw membership of BRIDRREM. The application shall then be submitted to the Council, which shall grant approval or authorize the BRIDRREM Coordinator to grant approval.
5. Each country shall have one Member in BRIDRREM. If disaster risk reduction, work safety, and emergency management fall under different administrative departments, each country shall independently designate one department as the Member of BRIDRREM. This Member shall be responsible for coordinating the country’s participation of other departments in relevant thematic activities of BRIDRREM.
(VI) Partners:
1. Provide policy advice for the development of BRIDRREM, promote the BRIDRREM partnership and increase its international presence; participate in the Council Meeting with the right to make suggestions but without the right to vote.
2. Join BRIDRREM as a partner voluntarily, abide by this Charter, provide financial or intellectual support for BRIDRREM cooperation and actively participate in relevant activities;
3. To join BRIDRREM, Partners shall submit a written application to the Secretariat. After granting approval, the Secretariat shall notify the BRIDRREM Coordinator and the Council.
(VII) The Council Meeting shall be held on the sidelines of the BRIDRREM Conference at an appropriate time, to review major issues concerning the development of BRIDRREM. The Council Meeting must be convened with the attendance of the President of the Council and more than half of the Members, and in line with the principle of consensus through consultation. When the Council Meeting is in recess, the BRIDRREM Coordinator shall perform the duties of the Council.
III. The BRIDRREM Coordinator
(I) Perform the duties of the Council when the Council Meeting is in recess.
(II) Consist of the Member Coordinators and the Partner Coordinators, who are Director-General-level representatives designated by Council Members and Council Partners respectively. Member Coordinators perform their duties on behalf of Council Members when the Council is in recess, and attend the Coordinator Meeting to deliberate on relevant matters and make a vote. Partner Coordinators may participate in the Coordinator Meeting and put forward policy suggestions on relevant matters without the right to vote.
(III) Duties include:
1. Endorse the accession and withdrawal of Council Members with the approval of the Council;
2. Endorse development strategies of BRIDRREM with the approval of the Council;
3. Endorse annual plans and annual work reports of BRIDRREM with the approval of the Council;
4. Guide the work of the Secretariat with the approval of the Council;
5. Review and endorse the themes of the BRIDRREM Conferenceand report to the Council, and plans for thematic meetings, symposiums, and side events;
6. Adopt the agendas and outcome documents of the Council Meeting;
7. Other matters entrusted by the Council.
(IV) The BRIDRREM Coordinator shall be headed by a Principal Coordinator. The President of the Council shall designate an official from the national emergency management authorities in his/her country to hold the post. The term of office shall be the same as that of the President of the Council. The Principal Coordinator's duties include:
1. Be committed to promoting the building and development of BRIDRREM;
2. Perform the duties of the President of the Council when the Council is in recess;
3. Take the lead in organizing and assisting the Secretary General in chairing the Coordinator Meeting;
4. Keep contact and communication with Coordinators regularly, and hold temporary Coordinator Meetings when necessary.
(V) The Coordinator Meeting is convened annually at the year-end, chaired by the Secretary General, with the attendance of the Principal Coordinator and more than half of the Member Coordinators and in line with the principle of consensus through consultation. When major decisions need to be made, information needs to be reported, or requirements need to be communicated, special meetings shall be held timely. The meetings, chaired by the Principal Coordinator, shall be typically held via video conference and may include all or part of the Member Coordinators.
IV. The Secretariat
(I) Serve as the body dealing with the daily running of BRIDRREM and provide support for the daily running of the Council, and the BRIDRREM Coordinator.
(II) The Secretariat is located at the Department of International Cooperation and Rescue, Ministry of Emergency Management of China.
(III) Daily duties include:
1. Assist the President, Vice Presidents and other Councilors of the Council to perform their duties;
2. Implement relevant resolutions of the Council and the BRIDRREM Coordinator;
3. Draft and/or amend the BRIDRREM Charter and relevant provisions, and submit them to the Council for approval;
4. Draft the annual plans and annual reports of BRIDRREM and submit them to the BRIDRREM Coordinator for approval;
5. Solicit opinions from Council Members and propose to the Council the candidates for President and Vice-Presidents of the Council, and Secretary General;
6. Review applications for obtaining or withdrawing Council membership, and submit them to the Council, which shall grant approval (or authorize the BRIDRREM Coordinator to grant approval);
7. Endorse applications for obtaining or resigning Council partnership, and notify the Council and the BRIDRREM Coordinator;
8. Propose topics, agendas and outcome documents for the Council Meeting, and submit them to the Council for approval after they are adopted by the BRIDRREM Coordinator;
9. Make preparations for the Council Meeting and the Coordinator Meeting;
10. Establish and update the focal points of contact.
(IV) The Secretariat's duties concerning the BRIDRREM Conference:
1. Review the Council Members' applications for hosting the BRIDRREM Conference, and submit them to the Council for approval;
2. Propose themes of the BRIDRREM Conference, thematic meetings, symposiums, and side events, and submit suggestions to the BRIDRREM Coordinator for approval;
3. Study and give feedback on arrangements for the BRIDRREM Conference;
4. Develop publicity plans for the BRIDRREM Conference;
5. Organize the opening ceremony of the BRIDRREM Conference.
(V) The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General, a post held by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management of China, and appointed by the Council on the notification of the Secretariat. The Secretary General's duties include:
1. Daily running of BRIDRREM;
2. Attend the Council Meeting with the right to speak but without the right to vote;
3. Set up functional departments of the Secretariat and recruit and dismiss secretariat staff;
4. Report the work of the Secretariat to the Council and the BRIDRREM Coordinator;
5. Chair the BRIDRREM Coordinator at the year-end.
(VI) The Secretariat sets up focal points of contact, which consists of Director-level representatives designated by Council Members and Partners as their respective liaisons. Focal points of contact are responsible for daily liaison.
V. The BRIDRREM Conference
(I) It is a platform for policy dialogue on BRIDRREM cooperation. As an official high-level exchange event, the BRIDRREM Conference is held every five years.
(II) Council Members voluntarily apply to host the BRIDRREM Conferenceand bear the relevant expenses. Council Members shall submit applications for hosting the next BRIDRREM Conferenceduring the Council Meeting or at least one year in advance. The applications shall be reviewed and approved by the Council Meeting or the Coordinator Meeting. If no Member volunteers to be the host, the BRIDRREM Conferencewill be temporarily organized by the Ministry of Emergency Management of China.
(III) The opening ceremony, the Council Meeting, thematic meetings, symposiums and relevant side events shall be held during the BRIDRREM Conference.
(IV) Themes of the BRIDRREM Conference, thematic meetings, symposiums and related side events shall be proposed and submitted by the Secretariat to the BRIDRREM Coordinator for approval.
(V) The host country shall propose the conference plans and solicit opinions from the Secretariat.
(VI) The publicity plans shall be developed by the Secretariat.
(VII)The opening ceremony and the Council Meeting shall be implemented by the Secretariat.
(VIII) The host shall not bear the travel or accommodation expenses of international participants of the BRIDRREM Conference.
VI. Supplementary Provisions
(I) Interpretation
The Council reserves the right to interpret the Charter.
(II) Support
BRIDRREM Members are encouraged to voluntarily provide financial or material support to the Secretariat.
(III) Language
The working language of BRIDRREM is English.
(IV) Intellectual property rights
All electronic and written documents within the BRIDRREM are entitled to use and must use relevant BRIDRREM signs (including the flag and logo).
(V) Legal effect
All activities of BRIDRREM shall comply with the laws of countries where activities are implemented and international laws.
