We work with a diverse range of partners around the world to share insights and learn from their experiences and capabilities. This helps Australia to build our emergency response capability and strengthen our disaster resilience.

International Organisations and Multilateral Forums

Our engagement with international organisations and participation in multilateral forums focuses on activities that support information exchange, reduce disaster risk and build capability in disaster management. Key organisations and multilateral fora include:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

UNDRR is the lead agency within the UN for coordinating international activities relating to disaster risk reduction, and is responsible for encouraging global implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (Sendai Framework). The Sendai Framework steers Australia’s approach to disaster risk reduction, which is implemented domestically through the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (PDF 3.43MB) and the Second National Action Plan (PDF 6.5MB).

NEMA is the focal point for reporting on Australia’s progress against the domestic implementation of the Sendai Framework. NEMA also works with DFAT to support Indo-Pacific countries to implement the Sendai Framework.

Under the UNDRR, key events such as the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) occur every 2-3 years and provide significant opportunities for strengthening our relationship with disaster risk reduction and emergency management leaders. NEMA participated in the 2024 APMCDRR held in Manila, Philippines and 2025 Global Platform held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Pacific Community (SPC)

SPC is an international development organisation which primarily provides technical advice, with a focus on cross-cutting regional issues including climate change, disaster risk management, fisheries, food security, education, gender equality, disease control and agriculture. SPC champions sustainable development and building a resilient Pacific, by applying a people-centred approach to science, research and technology.

Supported by SPC, the Pacific Regional Disaster Managers Meeting (PRDMM) is held annually as the primary fora for collaboration on emergency management and disaster risk reduction with Pacific partners and supports the development of strong regional linkages for future collaboration. NEMA attended the 2026 PRDMM held in Palau.

SPC also support the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Ministers Meeting, held every 2–3 years to bring Pacific Ministers together to discuss a regional approach towards disaster management. The most recent Ministers Meeting was held in Palau in 2025, producing the Koror Declaration, which outlined key commitments from Pacific Ministers in progressing disaster risk reduction activities.

Group of Twenty (G20)

The G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (G20 DRRWG) was established in 2023 as a platform to foster resilience and tackle the growing challenges of disasters. In 2025, under the South African G20 presidency, a Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial Meeting was held and delivered a consensus Ministerial Declaration which reaffirms a shared commitment of G20 members to disaster risk reduction.

The G20 DRRWG priority areas are:

• Strengthening equality and inclusion
• Global coverage of early warning systems
• Disaster and climate resilient infrastructure
• Financing frameworks for disaster risk reduction
• Disaster recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction
• Ecosystems-based approaches for disaster risk reduction and nature-based solutions.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

APEC leads activities on emergency management and disaster risk reduction through the Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) and its associated Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum (SDMOF). These groups focus on issues across the emergency management continuum and provide a platform for information-exchange and capacity building activities in preparedness, emergency management and disaster resilience. APEC provides the opportunity to engage with several Asia-Pacific countries.

Bilateral engagement 

Australia engages with countries to establish and progress strategic partnerships that support domestic and regional risk reduction, response and recovery activities including through exercises, technical exchanges and reciprocal arrangements for the exchange of operational disaster response capabilities.

NEMA has established several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with bilateral partners that allow us to:

• Establish regular information-sharing and knowledge exchange on shared challenges in emergency management and disaster risk reduction
• Promote cooperation and understanding in crisis coordination, hazards management, policy and planning, and recovery and resilience programs
• Facilitate arrangements for disaster assistance, such as resource-sharing
• Undertake joint activities, including exercises and training to build capability
• Contribute to international best practice in emergency management and disaster risk reduction

NEMA currently has MOUs with:

• Canada – Public Safety Canada (PSC)
• New Zealand – National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA NZ)
• Singapore – Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
• USA – Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Australia and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Declaration of Intent (PDF 136KB) to collaborate on emergency management and disaster risk reduction and resilience.

Australia and New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (PDF 1.2MB) to share research and best practice, share disaster support and explore joint activities and exercises.