Initially launched as a project under the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), it aimed to address the growing need for disaster preparedness in Asia, which is highly vulnerable to natural hazards like floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
[6][7] Over time, ADPC evolved into an independent organization, expanding its focus from emergency preparedness to include a broader range of disaster risk management strategies, climate change adaptation, and resilience-building initiatives.
[10] ADPC is governed by a board of trustees comprising representatives from its founding member countries, which include Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Adopted by its member states, the Charter defines the principles that guide the organization's work in disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation, and capacity-building.
[4] The Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) includes 16 member countries, such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, East Timor and Vietnam.