The DPPI SEE Secretariat and its member states actively contributed as panelists and representatives in various panels and meetings, including the Ministerial Meeting at the Europe & Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, held in Budva from November 6–8, 2024.
The Head of the DPPI SEE Secretariat delivered the opening speech for the panel “Road to Resilience: Children and Youth in Action,” where he emphasized DPPI SEE's role in fostering a child- and family-sensitive regional approach in disaster risk management and civil protection. He also announced the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DPPI SEE and UNICEF, highlighting seven new collaborative activities planned under this partnership over the next two years.
Additionally, the DPPI SEE Secretariat participated in the MCR2030 Regional Coordinating Committee and in the session, “Towards a Network of Networks: Connecting Sub-Regional Hubs in Europe and Central Asia Region for Accelerating DRR.” The Head of the Secretariat also contributed to the European Commission Workshop on Regional Cooperation in Disaster Risk Management, presenting DPPI SEE’s perspective on regional collaboration in this field.
At the Ministerial Meeting, the Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat underscored its unique role as a prominent sub-regional hub in South-Eastern Europe, enhancing capacity across the region by integrating similarities and balancing differences among the ten national civil protection authorities. He highlighted DPPI SEE’s Disaster Management Training Program (DMTP), which organizes joint training, exercises, and activities to build a holistic approach in disaster preparedness and prevention through cross-sectoral support and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Head further outlined DPPI SEE’s recent efforts to expand its activities and partnerships, including with UNICEF, UNDRR, UNDP, the Sphere Secretariat, DHL, RCC, RACVIAC, the Council of Europe, and others. He closed by emphasizing DPPI SEE’s vision for a stronger, more resilient region, where member states play a larger role in providing assistance and expertise across Europe and beyond.
