WELLINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation reflecting their shared commitment to improving preparedness for, response to and recovery from future disasters, a senior official said Tuesday.
The memorandum will support the sharing of best practices and capability development between the two countries, which face similar risks including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, severe weather and flooding, New Zealand's Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell said in a statement.
"Japan is internationally recognized for its expertise in disaster risk reduction, preparedness and early warning systems," Mitchell said, adding that the cooperation would strengthen resilience in both countries and help them prepare for future challenges.
New Zealand and Japan share a deep understanding of the impacts disasters can have on communities, he said, noting that this year marks 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Christchurch earthquakes in New Zealand's South Island.
The agreement also reflects a shared commitment to improving resilience across the Asia-Pacific region through a more coordinated and collaborative approach, the minister said.
The cooperation is part of the work of New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency, which has similar memorandums with Australia, Fiji, the United States, Canada, South Korea and Türkiye. ■
