ISLAMABAD, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday called for stronger disaster preparedness and greater international cooperation, stressing the need to prevent natural disasters rather than merely responding to their aftermath.
In a message marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Zardari said Pakistan has experienced floods, earthquakes, heatwaves and droughts, which have caused heavy losses in lives, homes and livelihoods.
He said Pakistan is transforming its national disaster management system by using artificial intelligence, satellite technology and real-time data to identify risks and issue early warnings, helping communities move to safety before disasters strike.
Highlighting the role of local governments and communities, the president said they are often the first line of defense during disasters because they understand local conditions and can respond quickly.
He called for disaster preparedness to become a core priority for national and international organizations and urged countries to strengthen regional cooperation based on shared risks.
The president also proposed greater international cooperation on water resilience, protection of the cryosphere, food security, climate adaptation, environmental protection, and shared rivers. ■