An international training programme on Disaster Management and Climate Change Adaptation has begun in Islamabad, bringing together experts and delegates from 12 African and Asian countries to build regional resilience to climate threats. The week-long workshop at the Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (AHKNCRD) is organised in partnership with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) to promote practical learning and policy exchange.
The event features 18 international delegates representing Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Zambia. Sessions include in-house briefings, technical presentations and field visits designed to translate Disaster Management principles into locally adaptable actions for rural communities.
Israr Mohammad Khan, Director General of NCRD, highlighted the heightened vulnerability of AARDO member countries to climate-induced disasters and stressed the urgent need for resilient strategies. He thanked AARDO Secretary General Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh for supporting the exchange of knowledge, innovation and best practices among developing nations to improve climate adaptation outcomes.
Chief guest Barrister Nabeel A. Awan, Secretary Establishment Division, underlined Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation on Disaster Management and shared experiences from his tenure with Lahore’s Planning and Development Board, including measures to tackle smog and environmental degradation. He invited participants to visit the Lahore P&D Board to observe provincial efforts and encourage institutional collaboration.
Aslam Khan, Head of Finance and Coordinator to the Regional AARDO Office for South and Central Asia, commended NCRD’s long-standing partnership with AARDO and emphasised the value of South-South cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. The programme aims to strengthen institutional linkages and equip practitioners with tools to design and implement sustainable climate resilience strategies.
The inaugural session concluded with participant introductions, a group photograph, networking tea and the presentation of a commemorative shield by the Director General NCRD to the chief guest. Organisers expect the training to deepen regional cooperation and leave participating institutions better prepared for practical Disaster Management and climate adaptation actions at the community level.
