Myanmar geologist and disaster resilience advocate Hla Hla Aung was named this year’s ASEAN Prize recipient for her decades of work promoting disaster resilience and preparedness across the region.
Aung was honored during the opening ceremony of the 49th ASEAN Summit, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the Philippine International Convention Center on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The ASEAN Prize is the region’s top recognition for exemplary achievements and contributions by individuals or organizations to ASEAN community-building, regional integration, and people-to-people connectivity.
Aung received the ASEAN Prize trophy and a US$20,000 cash award in recognition of her efforts to bridge scientific earthquake research and grassroots community empowerment, helping communities in Myanmar and across Southeast Asia translate technical knowledge into disaster preparedness.
A patron of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee, Aung is the ninth recipient of the award since it was established in 2018.
