ECO taps Pakistan’s NEOC regional DRR hub

January 23, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) will serve as a regional hub for disaster risk reduction under the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), as the 10th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) concluded in Islamabad.

Member States agreed to consider customized NEOC-based models as scalable frameworks across the ECO region, with Pakistan providing technical support.

The meeting also encouraged regular joint training programs and Comprehensive International Simulation Exercises (CISE) to strengthen regional preparedness, coordination, and interoperability among civil, military, academic, private sector, and humanitarian stakeholders.

The two-day meeting, held from January 21–22, 2026, was hosted by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and brought together ministers, heads of delegations, and senior officials from ECO Member States, alongside representatives of regional and international organizations, according to the press release.

Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, chaired the session, while Federal Minister for Climate Change & Environment Coordination Dr. Musadiq Malik attended as Chief Guest.

The ministers adopted the Islamabad Declaration on Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, reaffirming commitments to strengthen regional disaster preparedness, risk governance, and resilience.

The Declaration aligns with the Izmir Treaty, ECO Vision 2025, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasizing inclusive, people-centered strategies.

Delegates highlighted growing climate-induced risks in the region and the importance of harmonized regional frameworks. Lieutenant General Adil Abdullayev of Azerbaijan stressed the need for coordinated action against complex disasters.

While Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Minister Ernest Zhusupov called for capacity building and improved early warning systems.

Tajikistan’s Major General Isozoda Sulaymon Umar referenced outcomes from the 9th ECO Ministerial Meeting in Dushanbe (2024) and emphasized implementing regional mechanisms to mitigate climate-related hazards.

Türkiye’s delegation, led by Ali Hamza Pehlivan of AFAD, welcomed initiatives for joint training, simulation exercises, and the proposed Regional Seismic Data Centre for real-time seismic data sharing.

Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister Sanjar Takhirovic Zuparov highlighted the importance of translating regional commitments into actionable outcomes.

Turkmenistan and Iran reaffirmed support for ECO-level collaboration in disaster response, knowledge exchange, and capacity development.

The meeting endorsed several regional initiatives, including the development of a Land Hazard Zonation Map, improved risk communication, coordinated logistics and relief operations, and enhanced search and rescue capacities.

It also encouraged engagement with communities, humanitarian partners, volunteers, and the private sector to diversify financial and material support.

Collaboration with international partners such as UNESCAP, APDIM, and UNICEF was strengthened.

Ministers endorsed a new two-year work plan between the ECO Secretariat and UNICEF Tajikistan and approved a joint project to produce a short animated video for children in the ECO region on disaster prevention and preparedness.

Federal Minister Dr. Musadiq Malik emphasized that climate-induced disasters are immediate realities requiring inclusive, science-based, and people-centered strategies.

Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik noted that the Islamabad Declaration represents a collective commitment to safeguard ECO communities against growing disaster risks.

The meeting concluded with delegates expressing appreciation to the Government of Pakistan and NDMA for hosting and facilitating the event.

Discussions on the 11th ECO Ministerial Meeting’s date and venue will be finalized in consultation with the ECO Secretariat.

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