On Tuesday, August 10, 2022, at 13.00, the SATREPS Area-BCM (DREAM) Project organized the 5^th Joint Coordinating Committee meeting (The 5^th JCC Meeting), which was the hybrid platform; onsite and online. This JCC meeting aims to provide a platform for experts and collaborating government agencies to learn about and update the progress of the project activities as well as give suggestions for the project improvement. Especially for this meeting, the project extension plan for a year was presented. Over 60 participants from researchers, JICA Thailand officers, and collaborative entities joined the meeting both onsite and online from Thailand and Japan.

First, Prof. Dr. Chakkaphan Sutthirat, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University and Mr. Kawabe Ryoichi, the Senior Representative of JICA Thailand, had the opening speech, which remarks the importance of preparedness for natural hazards and counterstrategy for business continuity management. Additionally, both also emphasized the significance of one-year project extending. As we learned from the unprecedented COVID-19 situation that becomes the huge obstacle for project implementing. However, the good efforts bring all together to continue the project works smoothly and archive the project goal of enhancing resilience.

After Prof. Dr. Kodaka Akira, the MC of this JCC Meeting, introduced all participants both onsite and online platforms. Next, the presentation of Extension of Project Period was started by Professor Kenji Watanabe, Principal Investigator of the project. Prof. Watanabe presented the background and overview of the proposal for the extension project period. Plan of Operation and Revised Schedule with a year extension for major tasks were presented to the member to clarify the roles and duties of project implementation. After the presentation, all members in the meeting have no objection to the Plan of Operation and the revised schedule for one-year extension. Additionally, positive comments were given to the project by Prof. Dr. Vipan Prachuabmoh and Prof. Dr. Supot Techavorasinsakun, Directors of the Project.

Then, Prof. Dr. Kodaka introduced the audiences to the presentation of Progress Report, also the next steps in the extended period. As it is divided and sequenced into 4 main parts:

1. Development of Flood inundation model for the Industrial Parks presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Anurak Sriariyawat and Dr. Daiki Kakinuma from ICHARM
2. Community Research presented by Dr. Chutaporn Amrapala
3. Business Impact Analysis presented by Dr. Suzuki Shingo
4. Area-Business Community Management presented by Project Assoc. Prof. Kodaka Akira

Finally, Dr. Iwasaki Yuko presented the input summary to see the overall project implementation scenery. However, as all members meeting have no objection to the project activities presented, the meeting concluded part as mutual agreement from both Thai and Japanese site.

In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Vipan Prachuabmoh, Dean of College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University as a Project Director gave the closing speech with expressing gratitude to all participants from all-Item researchers and organizations. Prof. Dr. Vipan mentioned the unprecedented COVID-19 that exacerbates people’s living globally. Many project activities were halted due to domestic and international travel restrictions responding to the scheme by the authority. However, during the hard time we learned good effort through the continuous and successful progress from everyone. Prof. Dr. Vipan also emphasized the benefit of the extension project period, believing as it will help to enhance the project’s performance to be completely successful.

The SATREPS DREAM (Area-BCM) Project is a joint research project between Japan and Thailand under the SENDAI framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The project is schemed to launch a sustainable economic growth platform through disaster resilience enhancement at Industry complexes in Thailand and input to ISO/TC292 by the year 2023.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urxK7r_wgq8

By Phongnarin Sukcham

Approval by Assoc. Prof. Natt Leelawat, D.Eng.