Deputy Permanent Observer at UNESCAP Dr Jean-Pierre A. Verbiest participated in the 9th Session of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction at the United Nations ESCAP on 26-28 November 2025. The Committee discussed in detail the Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025 entitled “Rising Heat, Rising Risks: Policy Pathways for Regional Resilience”. The impact of rising heat on health and socio-economic systems in Asia-Pacific was extensively discussed, as well as the need for country and regional plans to address heat resilience. The areas discussed are highly relevant for the humanitarian work of the Sovereign Order of Malta in the different countries of Asia and the Pacific.