Ilham Aliyev received participants in an international conference

President Ilham Aliyev has received participants in the International Conference on “Civil Defence and preparation of civil societies for disaster risk prevention”, which was held in Gabala.

Noting the importance of cooperation among relevant agencies of our country, President Ilham Aliyev assessed the Conference on “Civil Defence and preparation of civil societies for disaster risk prevention” as one of the most important indicators of these relations. The head of state stressed the importance of mutual support among relevant emergencies ministries in our country. Noting that ministries dealing with emergencies are implementing a very important task in terms of preventing threats and disasters and eliminating their consequences, President Ilham Aliyev said that preparing the population for preventing significant risks is an important factor for every society.

Touching on the natural disasters, floods and earthquakes that have happened in our country in recent years, the head of state noted that tens of thousands of people were left homeless during the floods and more than 100,000 hectares of land were flooded. As a result of the professional activities of the Emergencies Ministry during those events, residents were evacuated from the disaster zone, temporary settlements were rapidly set up and health care, amenities and other services were organized there. The most important thing is that human casualties were prevented. Saying that during the earthquake that happened in the northern regions of Azerbaijan, more than 3,000 houses, numerous schools and other facilities were damaged, the head of state stressed that immediately after disaster, large-scale construction work began in the earthquake zone, all damaged houses and social facilities were built with state money and this process is continuing.

Stressing the importance of coordinated work among relevant agencies during natural disasters, President Aliyev also highlighted the significance of joint activities among emergencies ministries during such events.

Stressing that when the Emergencies Ministry was established in our country, its task was to eliminate disasters that happen in Azerbaijan and help neighbouring and friendly countries, the head of state drew attention to the fact that the Azerbaijani Emergencies Ministry has closely participated in rescue, reconstruction and aid operations during emergencies in several countries in recent years. President Ilham Aliyev noted the importance of the holding of the conference in Azerbaijan for participants’ closer familiarization with our country.

The secretary-general of the International Civil Defence Organization, Nawaf Al-Sleibi, who expressed satisfaction with their visit to our country at the invitation of the Azerbaijani government, thanked President Ilham Aliyev for his high hospitality. He said that they witnessed rapid development in our country. Stressing that one of the best models of the Emergencies Ministry has been created in Azerbaijan with the support of President Ilham Aliyev, Nawaf Al-Sleibi noted the importance of benefiting from this experience. Saying that Azerbaijan is actively cooperating with the International Civil Defence Organization, the guest said that the conference organized in Gabala at a high level was a good opportunity for discussing prospects of cooperation.

In conclusion, Nawaf Al-Sleibi presented the head of state with a memorable gift from the International Civil Defence Organization.