The National Disaster Management Authority, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, hosted the 10^th Ministerial Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) at NDMA Headquarters in Islamabad. The two-day event opened with a High-Level Working Group Meeting, bringing together ministers and senior officials from ECO Member States— including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — alongside representatives of the ECO Secretariat and regional/international partners to strengthen collective resilience against transboundary and climate-induced hazards.

The meeting provided a vital platform for Member States to exchange best practices, identify shared challenges, and explore innovative solutions aimed at enhancing regional collaboration in mitigating disaster risks. Through these collective efforts, participants sought to bolster the ECO region’s capacity to effectively respond to disasters and foster resilience against future threats.

During the meeting, the Islamabad Declaration was adopted, reaffirming the commitment of ECO Member States to strengthen regional cooperation and update the ECO Regional Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (ECORFDRR) for the period 2025–2030. The Declaration emphasizes the importance of enhancing disaster risk reduction through targeted capacity-building initiatives and innovative approaches. Furthermore, the meeting emphasized the promotion of collaboration with international organizations to implement joint programs that enhance resilience against disasters.

In conclusion, this Ministerial Meeting marks a significant milestone in advancing disaster risk reduction efforts across the ECO region. By fostering collaboration among member states and engaging with international partners, the meeting has laid the foundation for a cohesive strategy to mitigate the impacts of disasters. The commitments made and strategies discussed will play a crucial role in addressing the urgent challenges posed by disaster risks, ultimately paving the way for a safer and more resilient future for the region.

On behalf of ECOSF, ECO Science Foundation was represented by Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Memon (Executive Director), who participated in the deliberations, reinforcing ECOSF’s support for regional resilience through science, technology, and innovation.

Courtesy of ECO Secretariat