Monday, April 7, 2003 - Experts from Iran and nine neighbouring countries will cooperate in identifying ways to reduce the risks posed by such natural disasters as drought and earthquakes, which can undermine development gains and worsen poverty.

They gathered at a recent workshop in Tehran, Iran, organized by UNDP in cooperation with the Disaster Task Force of the Iran's Ministry of Interior, to identify common needs and priorities. Participants came from Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Participants included high-level government representatives, and participants from national Red Cross and Crescent societies, academia and civil society.

The workshop identified several themes for a joint initiative, including reducing risks related to earthquakes and floods, improving drought management, developing a policy and legal framework, promoting community-based disaster management and emergency search, rescue and relief planning.

Drought management is a main concern for all the countries and a priority for the UNDP regional bureaus working with them.

To follow up, UNDP is supporting a one-year project to prepare a sub-regional disaster risk management initiative. This will involve action at the local, national and regional levels by governments, UN agencies, civil society and academic institutions.

"The initiative can help develop a wider multi-disciplinary understanding of disaster management practices within a range of political, professional and institutional contexts," said Siba Das, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative. It can also promote synergies between disaster risk management and socio-economic development activities, he noted.

The participants agreed to set up a knowledge network to promote the exchange of information and experience. This may comprise an email network and a web site with a roster of experts, an inventory of ongoing disaster management initiatives, including UNDP capacity building programmes, an inventory of competency areas, seismic hazard mapping and training curricula. Exchange visits and study tours are also envisaged.