NIDM, ISSI sign LOA

Islamabad:Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), a think-tank operating as part of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The LOA represents the commencement of a long-term, partnership between the two institutions, with a shared commitment to advancing academic research and policy dialogue on issues of high national importance including disaster management, climate change, emerging response and regional collaboration.

The LOA was signed by Dr Talat Shabbir, Director, ISSI, Administration/China Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), and Tanveer Paracha, Executive Director, NIDM. The LOA signing was witnessed by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI and Senior members of staff from NDMA and ISSI were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, Chairperson, NDMA, emphasised the importance of establishing clear benchmarks and deliverables to ensure meaningful progress under the new partnership. He encouraged collaboration that builds up on prior research, promotes sharing of best practices, and leads to effective policy interventions. He stressed the importance of disseminating research and promoting initiatives not only at the national but also at the provincial level to maximise impact.

He also spoke about the benefits of emerging technologies and AI for disaster preparedness and urged proactive engagement through knowledge-sharing, policy dialogue and simulation exercises.

Sohail Mahmood, DG, ISSI, termed the signing of the LOA as the beginning of a close collaborative partnership. He stressed the importance of ensuring optimal implementation of the LOA with a well-defined roadmap and agreed time-lines. He appreciated NIDM’s outreach efforts and the depth of its work in the field of disaster management.

Earlier in his introductory remarks, Tanveer Paracha introduced the scope and mandate of the NIDM and its growing profile and national and international outreach.