Islamabad : The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the 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, meaningful 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.
On behalf of ISSI, the LOA was signed by Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director Administration/China Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), while Mr. Tanveer Paracha, Executive Director, signed on behalf NIDM. The LOA signing was witnessed by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI and Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, Chairman, NDMA, Senior members of staff from NDMA and ISSI were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik emphasized 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 the 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 maximize impact. Lt Gen Inam also spoke about the benefits of emerging technologies and AI for diaster preparedness, and urged proactive engagement through knowledge-sharing, policy dialogue and simulation exercises.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood termed the signing of the LOA as the beginning of a close collaborative partnership between ISSI and NDMA. 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. He also underscored the importance attached by ISSI to forging partnerships with think-tanks having niche area specialisation to reinforce shared objectives and broaden the impact of national discourse.
Earlier, in his introductory remarks, Mr. Tanveer Paracha introduced the scope and mandate of the NIDM and its growing profile and national and international outreach.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
