DUSHANBE, 22.08.2019 (NIAT Khovar) – The regional conference on disaster risk reduction and the implementation of the Sydney Framework Program was held yesterday in Dushanbe.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Muhammadtohir Zokirzoda, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori, heads and representatives of ministries and departments for the prevention and liquidation of emergency situations of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, China, India, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, representatives of diplomatic corps and investment organizations attended the conference.

The attendees discussed regional cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction and the search for new ties.

A sectoral regulatory framework has been created in Tajikistan. The Law of Tajikistan “On the Protection of the Population and Territory from Natural and Technogenic Emergencies” has been adopted, which regulates all the main activities of the industry in the country.

Also, the National Strategy of Tajikistan on Risk Reduction of Natural Disasters for 2019-2030 was adopted in order to reduce the threat of natural disasters, and the Development Program of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the government of Tajikistan for 2018-2022 is being implemented.

The conference mainly focused on the issues relating to international cooperation of sectoral departments.

“In particular, the participants discussed the issues relating to the implementation of the three-year framework program in the region’s countries, studying the experience of other states in eliminating the consequences of major natural disasters and the rehabilitation process, an integrated approach, cross-border cooperation and attracting investments,” said the Press Secretary of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the government of Tajikistan Umeda Yusufi.

The heads of the regional emergency protection structures mentioned the climate change process and the importance of expanding multilateral cooperation to deal with its consequences.

An inter-state agreement on the prevention and elimination of consequences of natural disasters between Afghanistan and Tajikistan was signed within the framework of the conference.

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense Rustam Nazarzoda and by the State   Minister for Disaster Management of Afghanistan Najeeb Aqa Fahim.

The Declaration of the Dushanbe Regional Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Implementation of the Sydney Framework Program was adopted following the conference.