ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 (APP):United Nations Secretary General António Guterres visited the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters here on Tuesday, where he was briefed by Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Pakistan’s shift from reactive disaster response to a proactive, technology driven and pre emptive system aimed at strengthening early warnings, preparedness and resilience against climate-related and other emerging risks. The …
UN chief at NDMA, commends Pakistan’s proactive disaster management
ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 (APP):United Nations Secretary General António Guterres visited the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters here on Tuesday, where he was briefed by Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Pakistan’s shift from reactive disaster response to a proactive, technology driven and pre emptive system aimed at strengthening early warnings, preparedness and resilience against climate-related and other emerging risks.
The UN Secretary General was accompanied by Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary A. DiCarlo and senior UN officials during the visit.
Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed the visiting delegation on the strategic role of NEOC as the central hub for disaster monitoring, disaster early warnings, preparedness and coordinated emergency response.
He highlighted NDMA’s Next Generation Technology (NGT) project, which integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced data systems to automate the development of precise disaster early warnings and strengthen Pakistan’s indigenous capacity for disaster forecasting and preparedness.
The initiative is also designed to help address emerging risks, including water scarcity, food insecurity, glacier retreat and other climate-related challenges.
The NDMA team also demonstrated the “National and Global Disaster Lens 2026-27”, an advanced disaster risk intelligence and visualization capability that provides an integrated view of evolving hazards, vulnerabilities and disaster risks.
The demonstration showed how technology, data and analytical capabilities are being integrated at NEOC to improve situational awareness, support risk-informed decision-making and enable timely anticipatory action at national and international levels.
The UN Secretary-General was informed that NEOC, NGT and the Global Risk Hub (GRH) together form an integrated disaster management architecture combining technology, early warning, international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Pakistan also offered the United Nations shared use of its technological capabilities, including NEOC, NGT and GRH, along with free exchange of expertise.
Mr. Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warning systems and resilience in the face of growing climate-related risks and recurring natural hazards.
He also praised Pakistan’s proactive approach to disaster management and stressed the need to replicate the model in disaster-prone regions around the world.
The visit reaffirmed Pakistan and the United Nations’ shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, early warning, anticipatory action, humanitarian coordination and emergency preparedness and response.
Both sides also underscored the importance of innovation, technology and international partnerships in building a more resilient and disaster prepared future.
