Islamabad: The second two-day Pakistan-China symposium focused on "Early Warning for Hydrological and Geological Disasters" has started in Islamabad, organized by the National Disaster Management Authority.

According to Radio Pakistan, the event's inaugural session saw the launch of a booklet that compiles globally recognized best practices and procedures for disaster management and risk reduction. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of relevant stakeholders in managing and mitigating disaster risks effectively.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who attended the session as the chief guest, highlighted the increasing threats Pakistan faces due to climate change. He pointed out that rapidly melting glaciers in regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are contributing to heightened flood risks, posing significant challenges for disaster management authorities.

Chairman NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, emphasized a strategic shift within the authority from focusing solely on post-disaster response to adopting proactive measures and modern early warning systems. This approach is intended to improve preparedness and resilience against potential disasters.

The symposium is seeing participation from a large number of representatives, including those from the United Nations, diplomats, experts, and researchers, all collaborating to enhance early warning systems and disaster management strategies in the region.