Islamabad: A delegation of National Coordinators and senior representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States visited the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) at the NDMA Headquarters in Islamabad. This visit was part of the first meeting of the SCO Council of National Coordinators (CNC) under Pakistan’s Chairmanship.

According to Press Information Department, the delegation, which included representatives from Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, was briefed on NEOC’s operational capabilities and Pakistan’s efforts in proactive disaster management. Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, presented various initiatives aiming to enhance regional integration and the global Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) framework. The briefing covered NDMA’s recent achievements, technological advancements, and plans for future innovations in disaster management.

The presentation highlighted NDMA’s coordination with national leadership and its framework for guiding provincial and local governments. The delegation was informed about NDMA’s collaboration with international disaster management authorities and the utilization of advanced digital technologies for hazard monitoring and risk assessment.

Discussions also centered on Disaster Early Warning systems and the importance of timely and localized dissemination of disaster warnings. The Chairman emphasized opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation among SCO Member States in areas such as disaster risk reduction and emergency response, proposing regionalization based on standard DRR templates to address climate change challenges.

The visitors acknowledged Pakistan’s modernization efforts in disaster management and the enhancements at NEOC, considering the visit a valuable opportunity to explore regional cooperation and expertise exchange in disaster preparedness and resilience building.