Strengthening Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management -The European Center for Disaster Medicine Meets with Executive Secretary of EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement
Strasbourg 5-7 September 2023
Strengthening Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
The European Center for Disaster Medicine Meets with Executive Secretary of EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement.
The European Center for Disaster Medicine recently held a significant meeting with Mr. Krzysztof Zyman, the Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, at the Directorate of Democratic Participation and Human Dignity of the Directorate General of Democracy (DGII).
The EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, a platform fostering collaboration in the realm of major natural and technological disasters between Europe and the South of the Mediterranean, plays a key role in disaster risk reduction, prevention, preparedness, risk management, and post-crisis analysis.
Established in 1987 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe through Resolution (87)2, the Agreement counts the European Center for Disaster Medicine among its founding institutions. It maintains an "open" status, permitting non-member States of the Council of Europe to apply for membership.
At the political level, the Ministerial Meeting serves as the decision-making body, convening periodically and comprising ministerial representatives responsible for natural and technological major hazards from each member State.
Assisting the Ministerial Meeting is the Committee of Permanent Correspondents, which gathers annually since 2013. Each State designates a Correspondent responsible for maintaining constant communication between national authorities and the Agreement. These Permanent Correspondents, along with their experts, have essential tasks that encompass developing and preparing Ministerial Meetings, collecting materials for background documents and adopted resolutions, and exchanging crucial information on relevant events among participating countries.
On the scientific and technical front, Specialized Euro-Mediterranean Centres play a fundamental role in developing projects at national and regional levels aimed at raising awareness and enhancing resilience to major risks within populations. The Meeting of the Directors of Specialized Euro-Mediterranean Centres convenes annually, facilitating the practical contribution of various partners to shared objectives through the implementation of European expertise, research, training, and information programs.
The recent meeting between the European Center for Disaster Medicine and Mr. Krzysztof Zyman reflects a commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination in disaster risk reduction and management, ultimately contributing to the safety and well-being of communities in the European and Mediterranean regions.
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