Dr. Nigel Lightfoot, an expert for Testing and Exercising of PRECA project, met with Mr. Serik Aubakirov, the Director of the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR) on 16 October 2023, Almaty, Kazakhstan. The CESDRR, which was initiated by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Ministries of Emergency Situations, plays a vital role in enhancing preparedness and response to emergencies in Central Asia. This center has been accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan as an international organization.

The primary objectives of the CESDRR are to establish effective mechanisms for reducing the risk of emergencies, mitigating their consequences, coordinating joint responses through agreed-upon measures by all parties involved, and fostering regional and international cooperation.

During the meeting, Dr. Nigel Lightfoot introduced the PRECA project and provided insights into the project future plans.

One of the key discussion points during the meeting between Mr. Serik Aubakirov and Dr. Nigel Lightfoot was the cooperation within PRECA EXERCISE 2024, which is planned to be held in May 2024. This event will be held in the form of table-top exercise, during which participants will test their national systems of response and management of Mass Gathering incidents.  

In the frames of the collaboration between PRECA Project and CESDRR, an opening session of the third face-to-face PRECA Regional Working Group Meeting was organized at the CESDRR office in Almaty on October 17, 2023.

The primary aim of the meeting was to assess the progress achieved within the project, identify and address challenges encountered, and share lessons learned from national training courses.  The participants engaged in strategic planning for forthcoming initiatives in 2024, including training in risk and media communication and series of national table-top exercises. Additionally, the groups worked on finalizing regional guidance documents, which are expected to enhance countries’ preparedness and response capabilities for mass gatherings.

During the opening session, the participants were greeted by Mr. Bakhtiyor Gulyamov, Head of the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Central Asia, who emphasized the importance of the role of the PRECA Regional Working Groups, Mr. Serik Aubakirov, who welcomed meeting participants and shared a video explaining the CESDRR activities Director of the CESDRR, and Mr. Andrew Proudlove, PRECA Team Leader.