ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hasproposed cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states to tackle disaster management arising from climate change by regionalising proactive strategies through standardised risk templates.

The initiative aims to jointly handlethe shared security threats and environmental vulnerabilities confronting the region. The idea was put forward by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) before the SCO Council of National Coordinators delegation which visited the NDMA Headquarters on Wednesday.

The delegation, comprising national coordinators and senior representatives of the SCO-member states, is in Pakistan in connection with the first meeting of the SCO Council of National Coordinators (CNC) under Pakistan’s chairmanship.

The visiting delegation included representatives from Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed the delegation on various initiatives undertaken by the NDMA to promote regional integration and global Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) framework.

The delegation was apprised of NDMA’s recent achievements, technological advancements and future plans for adopting next-generation technologies to enhance disaster early warning systems, strengthen coordinated response mechanisms and ensure timely dissemination of authentic and actionable information to the public.

NDMA’s coordination with national leadership, provision of a regular guidance framework for provincial and local governments, and institutional linkages with leading global disaster management authorities, regional organisations, global academia, humanitarian organisations and other supporting agencies were also highlighted.

Team NDMA presented utilisation of advanced digital technologies and data-driven systems for hazard monitoring, risk assessment and informed decision-making.

The visiting representatives were also briefed on Disaster Early Warning (DEW) systems, response mechanisms and efforts to ensure the timely and localised dissemination of disaster warnings.

The NDMA chairman also highlighted opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation among SCO-member states in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, knowledge exchange, capacity building and coordinated emergency response.

Team NDMA comprehensively presented the National Emergency Operation Centre’s operational capabilities, highlighting Pakistan’s innovative transformation towards proactive disaster management and strengthened response systems aimed at reducing recurring disaster risks.

The visiting delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to modernise its disaster management architecture and enhance the operational capabilities of NEOC.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to explore avenues for strengthening regional cooperation and facilitating the exchange of expertise among SCO-member states in disaster preparedness, early warning, emergency response and resilience building.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2026