At the invitation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), ADPC’s delegation is participating in the 2nd Experts Group Meeting that will be held in Ankara, Turkey on 11-12 October to finalize the Regional Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction for member countries - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

The event is being held on the heels of the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) to be co-organized by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the ECO Secretariat. High-level officials from regional and international organizations will attend the ceremony to highlight the value of regional cooperation for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

On behalf of ADPC, Mr. Hans Guttman, Executive Director, and Mr. Bill Ho, Director Strategic Planning will also participate in the IDDR celebrations. AFAD President H.E. Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu and ECO Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Seyed Jalaledin Alavi Sabzevari will grace the occasion.

ECO is an inter-governmental regional organization encompassing countries from Caucuses and Central Asia as well as the Middle East and South Asia. The overall objective of the organization is to promote sustainable economic development of its member states and the region as a whole. Established as a Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) in 1964 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, it was renamed as “ECO” in 1985.