On 18−20 September 2019, Chelyabinsk was the venue of the 7th Meeting of Heads of Territorial Authorities for Border Area Emergencies of the SCO Member States. Participants included delegations from China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the SCO Secretariat.
The discussion concerned topical issues concerning cooperation within the SCO in terms of preventing trans-border emergencies. The delegates had a meaningful exchange of views on responding to natural disasters and accidents in neighbouring regions, including in the context of improving relevant mechanisms. Russia presented a report on emergency risks in the SCO region.
Those at the meeting unanimously supported continuing the practice of joint emergency response exercises in border areas, stressed the importance of establishing information exchange on emergencies that have the potential of spreading beyond the borders of one state. It was noted that expanding practical cooperation of the SCO member states in the field of emergency response is an important factor of regional security and stability.
The results of collaborative work and the parties’ consolidated approaches to the discussed items were reflected in the meeting’s minutes.
As part of the packed programme of events organised as part of the meeting, members of the participating delegations toured the Chelyabinsk Region Directorate of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and its subdivisions, reviewed aviation rescue facilities and equipment, a mobile control post for managing rescue teams of the Emergencies Ministry, and the latest firefighting equipment and gear.