Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At its eighth plenary session, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan reviewed and approved the Law on the Ratification of the Agreement on the Establishment of the Civil Protection Mechanism of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), signed on November 6, 2024, in Bishkek.

The document was developed during the meeting of the OTS Council of Heads of State, held in the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic under the slogan: “Expanding the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All.” The agreement was signed by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.

The agreement aims to foster practical cooperation among the relevant agencies of member states in the areas of disaster prevention and emergency response. It also seeks to strengthen partnerships and friendly relations among the participating countries.

The document outlines the creation of an effective coordination mechanism for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies, including incidents beyond member states’ borders—in observer states and third countries. It establishes legal and institutional frameworks for collaboration, including the conduct of joint search and rescue operations, sharing of best practices, continuous monitoring and analysis, and the development of mutual assistance strategies.

The ratification of the agreement will allow Uzbekistan to participate more actively in international emergency response efforts, enhance the capacity of its relevant agencies, and create new opportunities for training, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of modern crisis management practices. Senators supported the document, emphasizing its importance for improving risk preparedness and strengthening regional cooperation in the field of civil protection.