Bangkok, Thailand —To further strengthen the pool of ASEAN Standards and Certification for Experts in Disaster Management (ASCEND) competency assessors in ASEAN, the AHA Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Thailand, organised the Training for ASCEND Competency Assessors in Bangkok on 18-21 August 2025. The four-day programme was designed to build the knowledge and skills of assessors in applying competency-based assessment, ensuring a consistent and credible evaluation process for the ASCEND certification programme.
Ms Chatchadaporn Boonpreeranat, Deputy Director General of DDPM Thailand, officially opened the training and emphasised its importance in enhancing preparedness and advancing professionalism in disaster management across the ASEAN region. Adding to this, Mr Krishna Putra Tanaja, Deputy Executive Director of the AHA Centre, underscored the significance of this batch as the first group of assessors composed of ASCEND-certified professionals who have undergone the rigorous competency assessment in their respective fields. He noted that this milestone demonstrates the growing maturity of the ASCEND programme and reflects its effectiveness in cultivating a pool of skilled assessors.
Mr. Tanaja further highlighted the diversity of this group, which includes representatives from National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs), Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UN agencies, and members of the AADMER Partnership Group (APG). According to him, this broad representation not only enriches the training discussions and peer-to-peer learning but also strengthens regional collaboration. “We firmly believe that the continued success of the ASCEND certification programme depends on the synergy and collaboration of all relevant stakeholders. Strengthening these partnerships remains key to achieving our shared goals,” he said.
Over the course of the training, participants engaged in modules covering assessment planning, conducting assessments, and validation of assessment tools, complemented by simulation exercises and after-action review. These activities enabled participants to deepen their understanding of ASCEND processes and develop their ability to perform as assessors in real-world contexts.
One of the participants, Ms Su Ei Nandar from Plan International Myanmar, noted that the training enhanced both her knowledge and confidence in conducting ASCEND competency assessments. She shared, “The training made me more ready to carry out assessments with more accuracy and professionalism.”
On the final day of the training, Mr Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, Deputy Director General of DDPM Thailand, officially closed the event by expressing his confidence in the new cohort of assessors, recognising their vital role in supporting future ASCEND competency assessments. Addressing the participants, he acknowledged that their active engagement and valuable contributions are key to the programme’s success. “We hope that the knowledge you have gained will not only benefit yourselves and your respective organisations but also contribute to building a more resilient ASEAN community,” he concluded.
The training gathered 29 participants from across ASEAN, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing regional standards in disaster management. This activity was made possible through the continued support of the Republic of Korea via the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) under ASCEND Phase 2, reaffirming the value of international partnerships in sustaining and expanding the ASCEND certification programme.
