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ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (APP):The two-day 10th Ministerial Conference of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Disaster Risk Reduction commenced at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Headquarters on Wednesday, opening with a High-Level Working Group session.
The high-level regional forum brings together ministers, and senior officials from ECO Member States, representatives of the ECO Secretariat and regional and international partner organizations. The event is aimed to strengthen collective efforts toward enhancing disaster resilience across the ECO region.
The opening session featured inaugural remarks by the host country reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. In accordance with ECO Rules of Procedure, the head of the host country, National Disaster Management Authority on behalf of Government of Pakistan was elected as Chair of the Meeting.
The session was followed by the formal adoption of the ECO agenda.
Delegations from ECO Member States, including Pakistan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting, alongside representatives of regional and international organizations and development partners. Discussions are focused on enhancing regional coordination, harmonizing disaster risk reduction frameworks, and strengthening collective preparedness against transboundary and climate-induced hazards impacting the ECO region.
Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik underscored that disaster early warning systems, risk-informed planning, data sharing, and community preparedness remain the cornerstones of sustainable resilience. He added that Pakistan has offered its National Emergencies Operations Center (NEOC) as a regional hub for disaster risk reduction coordination, joint training, simulation exercises, and early warning collaboration.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for regional capacity building, technical exchange and AI-driven solutions reflecting collective resolve of ECO Member States to establish proactive disaster risk reduction interoperability framework through cooperation, innovation and inclusive action.
During session, delegates also reviewed progress since the 9th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Management held under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe in 2024, with particular emphasis on lessons learned, implementation gaps, and emerging regional risks. Deliberations at the High-Level Working Group include discussions on updating the ECO Regional Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (ECORFDRR) 2025–2030, aligning regional priorities with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and finalizing proposals for endorsement at the ministerial level.
Key agenda items include regional cooperation on early warning systems, disaster risk information management, landslide hazard zoning, inclusive disaster preparedness initiatives, and Pakistan’s proposal to establish a Regional Innovation Hub on Disaster Risk Reduction, focusing on early warning technologies, satellite data utilization, and risk-informed infrastructure planning.
The meeting also finalized the draft Islamabad Declaration, which will serve as the principal outcome document of the Ministerial Meeting on 22nd January 2026 at NDMA HQs.
Pakistan’s convening of the ECO Ministerial Meeting underscores its leadership in advancing disaster risk reduction and regional resilience.
The Islamabad Declaration will serve as a strategic policy framework, aligning ECO priorities with global standards and driving innovation, cooperation, and inclusive action to address climate and transboundary risks.