Pakistan, China push closer disaster warning coordination

May 20, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and China moved to deepen technical coordination on disaster risk reduction and early warning systems during the 2nd Pak-China Symposium on Early Warning for Hydrological and Geological Disasters in Islamabad.

During the symposium, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) proposed monthly joint working group meetings to accelerate the integration of technology into disaster management and strengthen early warning capabilities.

The two-day symposium, which concluded at NDMA Headquarters on Tuesday, brought together experts, scientists, researchers, and policymakers from both countries.

They discussed hydrological and geological hazards, climate-induced disasters, glacial risks, and early warning systems amid growing regional climate vulnerabilities, according to the press release.

Five parallel technical sessions were held at NDMA’s Centre of Excellence (COE), where participants exchanged research findings, operational experiences and technological developments related to disaster resilience and climate adaptation.

Discussions focused on science-based policymaking, predictive technologies and regional coordination to address emerging climate threats.

Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik said Pakistan was seeking stronger regional and international cooperation on disaster resilience and stressed the need to use scientific innovation and technology to protect vulnerable communities from climate-related hazards.

He proposed regular monthly meetings between joint working groups from Pakistan and China to review progress on technological integration into disaster management systems.

The symposium follows the first Pak-China Symposium held in August 2025 and reflects continued cooperation between the two countries on climate resilience, disaster preparedness and institutional capacity building.

Participants also visited the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), where NDMA officials briefed delegates on initiatives including the Global Disaster Lens, Water Equation, Global Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM) and NDMA’s Global Disaster App.

The briefing focused on the use of predictive analytics, real-time monitoring and advanced technologies for anticipatory disaster response.

A high-level panel discussion on climate change and hydrological-geological hazard warning systems in Pakistan and China examined joint response mechanisms, scientific partnerships and knowledge-sharing frameworks.

Panelists included experts from the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, COMSATS, ECO Science Foundation, NUST and Chinese research institutions.

The symposium concluded with both sides reaffirming cooperation in disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, scientific research and early warning systems as Pakistan faces increasing exposure to floods, glacial lake outburst floods and other climate-related disasters.

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