Disaster Risk Management Discussed in Brussels

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 17 September 2019, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Benelux countries, Diller Hakimov, received in Brussels the head of the UN Regional Office for Europe Disaster Risk Reduction Paolo Albrito.

In the negotiations, the parties discussed interaction to reduce possible risks from disasters related to both natural disasters and man-made factors.

Paola Albrita praised the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan to combat the consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea, especially noting the progress in implementing the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to create the UN Multi-Partnership Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region.

The conversation emphasized that at present all the countries of Central Asia are faced with the consequences of climate change and threats of both a natural and anthropogenic nature. In this regard, Paola Albrita said that the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction together with the European Commission are considering the implementation of the program “Strengthening Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Central Asia”.

According to Paola Albrita, the proposed program will be aimed at improving national loss accounting systems, supporting strategies designed to reduce risks, and strengthening regional cooperation to combat cross-border threats and other challenges. According to preliminary data, its budget will be up to 10 million US dollars.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed on a visit to Uzbekistan in the second half of November by a delegation of the UN Regional Office for Europe’s Office for Disaster Risk Reduction to discuss practical aspects of our country’s participation in the proposed program.