ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from Portugal visited the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Headquarters in Islamabad to review Pakistan’s disaster management system and explore opportunities for cooperation in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
The delegation was led by Portugal’s Director General for Foreign Policy, Helena Malcata, and included Ambassador Paulo Domingues, Director of the Asia Department Vitor Marcelino, and Senior Political Officer David Arcao.
During the visit, NDMA officials briefed the delegation on the operational capabilities of the NEOC and Pakistan’s shift towards proactive disaster risk management through advanced technologies, anticipatory planning and data-driven decision-making.
Chairman NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, highlighted the authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve early warning systems and enhance coordination among federal and provincial institutions as well as international partners. He also shared NDMA’s vision of using next-generation technologies to further strengthen disaster early warning systems and emergency response.
The delegation was also informed about NDMA’s coordination framework involving provincial disaster management authorities, humanitarian organisations, academia and international partners. The briefing covered Pakistan’s work on risk communication, anticipatory action planning, resource mobilisation and integrated disaster response.
During the session, the Portuguese delegation was introduced to Disaster Lens 2026 and briefed on the Comprehensive International Simulation Exercises (CISE), which showcase Pakistan’s efforts to improve disaster preparedness through innovation, technology and international collaboration.
The Portuguese delegation appreciated NDMA’s modern operational capabilities and its forward-looking approach to disaster risk management. Both sides expressed their commitment to expanding cooperation in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, capacity building and humanitarian response.
The visit concluded with both countries reaffirming the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships and promoting knowledge sharing to address the growing challenges posed by climate change and complex disasters.
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