Islamabad: Diplomats from various regional organizations converged at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to examine the capabilities of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and explore avenues for regional cooperation in disaster management. The visit included representatives from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), who were briefed on the technological infrastructure and operational frameworks designed to address climate-induced challenges.

According to National Disaster Management Authority, the delegation was informed about the increasing impacts of rising temperatures and coastline crises on regional stability. The Chairman of NDMA, Lt. Gen Inam Haider Malik, provided insights into NEOC’s capabilities, emphasizing the need for collaborative action to mitigate shared vulnerabilities. The briefing underscored the importance of utilizing NEOC’s advanced systems for real-time monitoring, disaster preparedness, and response.

The session also highlighted the potential for a regional framework focused on disaster risk reduction, promoting joint efforts in capacity building and knowledge sharing to bolster disaster preparedness and response. Secretary General of the ECO Secretariat, Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, praised NDMA’s efforts and urged regional states to prioritize disaster risk reduction frameworks, noting the $70 million annual collective loss faced by ECO member countries due to climate-related disasters.

The session saw participation from prominent diplomats, including Ambassador of Iran Dr. Reza Amiri, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Oybek Usmanov, Ambassador of Nepal Rita Dhital, and other representatives from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.