Pak-China climate warning symposium ends with call for joint disaster response

The second Pak-China Symposium on Early Warning for Hydrological and Geological Disasters concluded here at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters on Tuesday

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) The second Pak-China Symposium on Early Warning for Hydrological and Geological Disasters concluded here at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters on Tuesday.

The two days symposium had deliberations, where experts, policymakers and scientists from Pakistan and China stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation, scientific partnerships and technological integration to tackle climate-induced disasters and improve early warning systems.

The symposium, organised by the Government of Pakistan through the National Disaster Management Authority, brought together researchers, disaster management experts, academics and officials from both countries to exchange expertise on hydrological and geological hazards, glacial risks and climate resilience.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal attended the opening session on as chief guest, while the concluding day featured five parallel technical sessions at NDMA’s Centre of Excellence.

According to NDMA, experts shared research findings, operational experiences and technological advancements related to disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, highlighting the importance of science-based policy making and regional coordination in addressing emerging climate challenges.

Chairman NDMA, Inam Haider Malik, said Pakistan remained committed to enhancing regional and international cooperation for disaster resilience through scientific innovation and technology-driven solutions.

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He described the symposium as a key platform for practical cooperation between Pakistan and China in disaster management and proposed monthly meetings of joint working groups to monitor progress on technological integration in the sector.

Participants also visited the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), where they were briefed on NDMA initiatives, including the Global Disaster Lens, Water Equation, Global Institute of Disaster Management and NDMA’s Global Disaster App aimed at strengthening predictive analytics, real time monitoring and anticipatory response mechanisms.

A high-level panel discussion on climate change and hydrological-geological hazard warning systems in Pakistan and China was chaired by Lei Yu and featured prominent experts from academic, scientific and policy institutions of both countries.

Among the panelists were Kang Shichang, Mohammad Qasim Jan, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Seyed Komail Tayebi and Javed Iqbal.

The speakers underscored the urgency of expanding scientific cooperation, knowledge sharing and institutional partnerships to enhance resilience against climate-related hazards across the region.

The symposium concluded with a shield distribution ceremony and a networking session attended by representatives of government organisations, research institutions, academia and international partners from Pakistan and China.