New York, Sept. 3 (SANA) Syria is taking part for the first time in United Nations talks aimed at drafting an international convention to protect people affected by disasters, the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management said.
A Syrian delegation from the ministry is attending meetings of the preparatory committee for the UN conference on the protection of persons in the event of disasters at UN headquarters in New York.
Deputy Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Ahmed Ekzayez said Syria was committed to supporting the international process and contributing to its outcome.
Ekzayez said countries and international organizations should draw on their practical experience in drafting what would be the first international convention of its kind on the protection of people in disasters.
He said the proposed convention could strengthen international cooperation and establish clearer legal and humanitarian frameworks for disaster response and efforts to mitigate its impact.
The ministry said Syria’s participation reflected its efforts to increase its engagement in international initiatives protecting disaster-affected populations and its commitment to humanitarian action and multilateral cooperation.
The preparatory committee is meeting at UN headquarters from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 under UN General Assembly Resolution 80/169.
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