By Asghar Ali Mubarak/Mehrab Shah Afridi
ISLAMABAD: The 10th Ministerial Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Disaster Risk Reduction began from Jan 21 and would end on Jan 22 in Islamabad, bringing together ministers, senior officials, and representatives from regional and international partner organizations.
Hosted by Pakistan and organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the two-day forum aims to strengthen collective efforts to enhance disaster resilience across the ECO region. The opening session featured inaugural remarks reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
Pakistan’s delegation, representing the host country, was elected Chair of the meeting, highlighting the country’s leading role in fostering regional collaboration on disaster preparedness. Delegations from ECO member states, including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, participated alongside representatives from development partners and international organizations.
Discussions focused on harmonizing disaster risk reduction frameworks, improving regional coordination, and enhancing preparedness for transboundary and climate-induced hazards affecting the ECO region. Chairman of NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, emphasized Pakistan’s offer to use its National Emergencies Operations Center as a regional hub for disaster risk reduction coordination.
Chairman of NDMA outlined plans for joint training exercises, simulation drills, and early warning systems, aiming to build a more cohesive regional response capability. Officials said the forum provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and develop collaborative strategies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
