TASHKENT, April 29. /Dunyo IA/.  Kamal Kishor, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, responded to questions from a correspondent of the Dunyo Information Agency on the occasion of the “International Day of Remembrance for Earthquake Victims”, observed on April 29^th.

- In 2025, at the initiative of Uzbekistan, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed April 29^th as the International Day of Remembrance for Earthquake Victims. What were the reasons behind the United Nations’ support for holding an event dedicated to this observance specifically in Uzbekistan, and what significance does this date hold for the international community?

- Thank you for your question. First and foremost, I would like to particularly acknowledge the leadership of Uzbekistan, which put forward this initiative. The proclamation of 29 April as the International Day of Remembrance for Earthquake Victims represents a highly significant step, endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly.

Earthquakes remain among the most devastating natural hazards facing humanity. Each decade, they claim hundreds of thousands of lives. In recent years alone, powerful earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria have resulted in the loss of more than 60,000 lives. Severe seismic events have also affected Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Philippines. Today, more than 800 million people worldwide live in areas exposed to high seismic risk.

Against this backdrop, the International Day carries profound global importance. It raises awareness of earthquake risks and encourages societies to strengthen preparedness. As earthquakes occur relatively infrequently, they are often perceived as a distant or forgotten threat. Uzbekistan’s initiative helps ensure sustained international attention to this critical issue.

Three key priorities stand out in advancing this agenda.

First, enhancing public awareness is essential. Schools, hospitals and local communities must be equipped with the knowledge of how to act during an earthquake. Simple life-saving guidance—such as “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”—should be widely disseminated. It is equally important that every household is prepared for emergencies.

Second, existing risks must be reduced. This includes reinforcing vulnerable buildings and securing heavy furniture—practical, low-cost measures that can save lives.

Third, all new infrastructure—residential buildings, schools, hospitals and other facilities—must be constructed in full compliance with seismic resilience standards. In many cases, fatalities are caused not by the earthquake itself, but by the collapse of poorly built structures.

The date of 29 April also carries symbolic significance. It recalls the devastating 1966 Tashkent earthquake, which struck the city during this period in 1966. This historical memory lends additional depth and resonance to the initiative.

- A joint protocol is planned to be signed between the Ministers of Emergency Situations of Central Asian countries. In your view, how important is such cross-border cooperation for reducing disaster risk in a seismically active region, and how does the United Nations support this process?

- This is extremely important, as natural disasters do not recognize national borders. Earthquakes, floods, heatwaves, or dust storms may originate in one country and affect others.

For example, the earthquake in Türkiye also caused severe damage in Syria. Therefore, countries must work together, share experience, and develop joint action plans.

In some cases, a single country is not able to take sufficient measures on its own. For instance, forecasting floods in transboundary river basins requires data from multiple countries.

Uzbekistan is playing a leading role in this regard. In 2021, the first regional strategy on disaster risk reduction for Central Asia was adopted in Tashkent. The current initiatives represent a continuation of this important work.

- The implementation of advanced international experience and innovative technologies plays a crucial role in ensuring seismic safety. In the view of the United Nations, which global solutions are most effective for building earthquake-resilient cities and strengthening public awareness and preparedness in seismic risk culture?

- In this regard, three key factors are of particular importance.

First, science-based building codes are essential. Depending on the level of seismic activity in each region, specific standards must be introduced. The key issue, however, is their full and effective enforcement in practice.

Second, the population must be well informed. Every individual should know what to do in the event of an earthquake.

Third, authorities at all levels—national, regional, and local - must work in close coordination. Only joint and coordinated action can deliver effective and sustainable results.