The Regional Forum - Meeting of the Heads of Emergency Authorities of Central Asian Countries Was Held in Tashkent
The Regional Forum – Meeting of the Heads of Emergency Authorities of Central Asian Countries was held in Tashkent, bringing together representatives of the emergency authorities of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as relevant government agencies, scientific institutions and international organizations.
For the first time, a delegation from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the Regional Forum as an observer, providing an additional opportunity to broaden regional dialogue and strengthen international cooperation in emergency prevention and response.
The large-scale event was organized by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as the host country, and the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR), which serves as the Secretariat of the Regional Forum. The event was held with the technical and financial support of the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), within the framework of the World Bank’s Resilient Landscapes Restoration in Central Asia (RESILAND CA+) programme.
On the first day of the Forum, 19 October, three thematic regional dialogues were held, focusing on current issues related to emergency prevention and disaster risk reduction.
The first dialogue addressed ways to enhance urban resilience to natural hazards and climate change, strengthen seismic safety, promote scientific and technical cooperation among national seismological services and research institutions, and improve early warning systems and mutual information-sharing on emerging threats.
Particular attention was given to strengthening cooperation among Central Asian cities, developing partnerships within the Coalition for Sustainable Cities, and integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation principles into urban planning processes.
A separate regional dialogue focused on the safe management of transboundary water resources, improvements in hydrometeorological monitoring, and data exchange among national services. Participants discussed the potential application of modern information and communication technologies, as well as ways to strengthen joint measures to prevent and mitigate the impacts of transboundary mudflows, flash floods and floods.
The expert session also addressed ways to strengthen the regional mechanism for international emergency response to large-scale and transboundary emergencies, including the coordination of joint actions, the provision of international humanitarian assistance, and recovery efforts.
The plenary sessions placed particular emphasis on the adoption of innovations, digitalization and artificial intelligence in the work of emergency services, as well as the development of early warning systems.
On 20 October, the high-level Meeting of the Heads of Emergency Authorities of Central Asian Countries took place. Regional initiatives, programs and projects aimed at strengthening national preparedness for emergencies and advancing practical cooperation were presented and discussed.
Throughout the Forum, participants emphasized the importance of consolidating the efforts of countries across the region to prevent and respond to transboundary emergencies, develop early warning systems, and introduce modern technological solutions into emergency management.
The participation of representatives of international organizations and specialized institutions provided an opportunity to explore further technical and expert support for regional initiatives, exchange best practices, and implement joint projects.
The Forum also served as a platform for bilateral and multilateral meetings, during which representatives of delegations and international organizations discussed prospects for further cooperation and priority areas for joint action.
Among the key outcomes of the Forum were the signing of the Final Protocol of the Meeting of the Heads of Emergency Authorities, the endorsement of the Regional Roadmap for Mitigating the Impacts of Transboundary Mudflows and Floods, and the approval of the Concept for Enhancing the Resilience of Cities in Central Asian Countries to Disaster Risks and Climate Change until 2030.
The outcomes of the Regional Forum – Meeting of the Heads of Emergency Authorities of Central Asian Countries provide a foundation for the continued development of regional cooperation, the implementation of agreed documents, and the advancement of joint disaster risk reduction projects.
Further efforts will focus on strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of national services, developing monitoring and early warning systems, enhancing the resilience of cities and infrastructure, improving international emergency response mechanisms, and expanding partnerships with international organizations.
The Regional Forum continues to serve as a consultative platform for aligning priorities and coordinating the efforts of Central Asian countries to protect populations and territories and promote sustainable development across the region.
