ISLAMABAD: A delegation of National Coordinators and senior representatives from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states visited the National Emergencies Operation Centre at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Headquarters in Islamabad. The visit aimed to explore opportunities for regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction and to review Pakistan’s disaster management initiatives.

According to Radio Pakistan, the delegation included representatives from Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Chairman of NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, briefed the delegation about various initiatives undertaken to promote regional integration and the global Disaster Risk Reduction framework. The briefing highlighted opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation among SCO member states in areas such as disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and coordinated emergency response.

Lt Gen Malik proposed the regionalization of disaster management on standardized Disaster Risk Reduction templates. The aim is to expand cooperation among SCO Member States to address common security threats posed by climate change and regional vulnerabilities. NDMA’s presentation showcased the National Emergencies Operation Centre’s operational capabilities, focusing on Pakistan’s progress towards proactive disaster management and strengthened response systems to reduce recurring disaster risks.

The NDMA team outlined recent achievements, technological advancements, and future plans for adopting next-generation technologies to enhance disaster early warning systems. Efforts to strengthen coordinated response mechanisms and ensure the timely dissemination of authentic information to the public were also discussed. The coordination with national leadership, guidance for provincial and local governments, and institutional linkages with global disaster management authorities and other supporting agencies were emphasized.

The visiting SCO representatives appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its disaster management architecture and enhance the operational capabilities of the National Emergencies Operation Centre.