Secretary for Security TK Lai hosted the 3rd Quadripartite Forum on Emergency Response Management at the Central Government Offices today.

Emergency management authorities and organisations from Hong Kong, Guangdong, Macau and Taiwan shared their experience and knowledge at the event.

Mr Lai said extreme weather conditions associated with global warming will increase the risk of disasters.

Coupled with disasters like fires, air crashes, shipwrecks and large-scale industrial accidents, governments should strengthen their capability of handling emergency situations, he said.

Given the proximity of the four places taking part, close co-operation of their emergency management organisations is essential for an effective response to an emergency situation in the region, he added.