for AHKNCRD-AARDO’s Collaborative International Training Programme on “Disaster Management and Climate Change Adaptation” – February 09-16, 2025

Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (AHKNCRD), Islamabad is an apex training/capacity building institute of the country and an Attached Department of Establishment Division, Government of Pakistan. AHKNCRD is also a link institution to work with African Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) on behalf of Government of Pakistan. The AARDO is an inter-governmental organization, which has thirty-two (32) member countries from Asia and Africa.

NCRD has been conducting collaborative training programmes with AARDO at NCRD, Islamabad. Once again, this year, NCRD is conducting International Training Programme on “Disaster Management and Climate Change Adaptation” in collaboration with AARDO at NCRD during February 09-16, 2025. International participants from 13 AARDO member countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Oman, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria and Zambia, are attending this training programme. The training programme was inaugurated on February 09, 2025. The inaugural ceremony was chaired by worth chief guest, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Islamabad. In addition, H.E. Lieutenant General Peter Mbogo Njiru, High Commissioner of Kenya; H.E. Dr. Maen KHREASAT, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Pakistan; H.E. Dr. Zuhair Zaid, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Pakistan; and H.E. Dr. Ramez Alraee, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic in Pakistan also joined the inaugural session. The ceremony was also graced by the presence of eminent dignitaries including Air Commodore (Retd.) Tanveer Paracha, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM); Mr. Waseem Ahmed, Manager (Training), NIDM; Ms. Sana Noor, Deputy Project Coordinator, NIDM; Dr. Zafar Qadir, Former Director General NCRD and Former Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA); Dr. Shaabbir Hussain Former Programme Officer, Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Irfan Khan, Former Dean, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

In his welcome address, Director General NCRD, Mr. Israr Mohammad Khan, expressed great honor at the opening of the AHKNCRD-CIDRAP Collaborative International Training Programme on “Disaster Management and Climate Change Adaptation.” He welcomed the delegates from AARDO member countries, delegates of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries and commended the efforts of AARDO officials, especially Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General AARDO, for organizing the event in Pakistan. He also thanked Ms. Romina for joining the inaugural session. DG NCRD highlighted how AARDO member countries, including Pakistan, are increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, underscoring the urgent need for robust disaster management strategies and collaborative adaptation measures to build resilience. He also emphasized the importance of equipping stakeholders with knowledge and tools to effectively address the intertwined challenges of disaster management and climate change adaptation. He expressed his views that the collaboration promises valuable exchanges of experiences and best practices from across the AARDO countries. Mr. Israr expressed a strong presumption that the Training Workshop, complemented by in-house sessions and field visits, would provide profound insights to the participants and experts from the member countries. He expressed gratitude to AARDO for its support and extended appreciation to the participants from member countries, hoping that they embark on the journey to deepen their understanding of disaster management and climate change adaptation.

During her address, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, thanked the delegates for joining the training programme and emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in addressing the dual challenges of disaster management and climate change adaptation. She reiterated importance of supporting member countries through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and fostering innovative solutions to promote sustainable development. Furthermore, she commended the efforts of NCRD for its contribution for the cause of rural development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan and other AARDO member countries through collaboration with AARDO. Ms. Romina hoped that the training program would equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective disaster management and climate adaptation strategies in their respective countries.

After the addresses, an introductory session of the participants took place, followed by a group photo and a tea break.

Figure 1:Group Photo of Chief Guest, Members of Diplomatic Core, Participants,NCRD Officers and Other Dignitaries

Figure 2 Coord. To the PM(Centre), DG NCRD (to her right) and Director (Trg.) NCRD (to her left)

Figure 3 Glimpse from the proceedings of Inaugural Ceremony

Figure 4 Director General NCRD presenting shield to the hon’ble Chief Guest of the ceremony