The APDMC has recently been established under the auspices of the Government of the Philippines, with support from the State Government of Queensland, Australia, as a nonprofit nongovernmental organization (NGO) registered in Manila. The governing framework includes a Board of Directors, a panel of scientific and technical experts (still being assembled), and a stakeholders' forum to advise the senior officers of the APDMC on policy, planning, financial, and corporate issues. APDMC will support disaster and risk management capacity building efforts in Asia and the Pacific through technical assistance, training, research, and information, and through direct support and collaboration with existing regional institutions, networks, and partnerships. For more information, please contact the Head Office, PO Box 1005, Makati Central Post Office, 1250 Makati City, Philippines; Fax: 63-2-826-0389; E-mail: apdmc@nsclub.net.