Preamble

The Economic Cooperation Organization (hereinafter referred to as ECO), and the United Nations secretariat of International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (hereinafter referred to as UN/ISDR),

Taking into consideration the interest and objectives of the both organizations in supporting efforts to provide better living conditions to people and promoting international cooperation,

Conscious of the working partnership of each of the ECO member states with UN/ISDR,

Noting the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations that encourage activities through regional cooperation in order to promote principles and objectives of the United Nations,

Taking into consideration the decisions of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, Japan 2005, in particular Hyogo Framework for Action for building the resilience of nations and communities against disasters,

Noting also the provisions of the Charter of the Economic Cooperation Organization recommending expansion of relations with the relevant international organizations; and

Considering the increasing interest of the countries of the region in expansion of their efforts and cooperation in reducing risk to disasters caused by vulnerability and natural hazards,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1.    General provisions

ECO and UN/ISDR will complement their efforts in expansion of disaster risk reduction cooperation and activities to achieve their respective objectives.

Article 2.    Areas of cooperation

The cooperation may extend to disaster risk reduction and building the resilience of nations and communities against national hazards in national, regional and international levels in the following areas:

2.1.    Enhancement of local and national capacities in reducing disaster risks and vulnerabilities,

2.2.    Supporting ECO member states with the provision of regional and international expertise and technical assistance on disaster risk reduction,

2.3.    Promoting sub-regional, regional and inter-regional cooperation on disaster risk reduction among ECO member states and with other regions.

Article 3.    Modes of cooperation

The two parties will use various means of cooperation for their common objectives such as:

3.1     Consultations and cooperation on substantive issues:

ECO and UN/ISDR will hold periodic consultations on the issues of cooperation between the two organizations, which may include joint projects on matters of mutual interest, subject to appropriate organizational and financial arrangements agreed upon.

3.2            Exchange of information, expertise and knowledge:

ECO and UN/ISDR will exchange information, expertise and knowledge in the areas related to disaster risk reduction and through various means and ways, inter alia, available communications and documentation, organizing conferences, seminars, courses and training workshops in national and regional levels.

3.3     Participation in meetings:

The ECO Secretariat will be regularly informed of the meetings of the UN/ISDR relevant to the objectives and content of this MOU with a view to avail participation. In the spirit of reciprocity, the UN/ISDR will be invited to attend to the meetings of ECO relevant to the objectives and activities of this MOU.

3.4     Supporting national and regional programmes and initiatives:

UN/ISDR and ECO will support various national and regional programmes, initiatives and mechanisms related to disaster risk reduction aiming at enhancement of capacities of countries of the region through joint efforts and based on their available resources.

Article 4.    Final provisions

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended or extended by mutual agreement between its parties and on the basis of the respective procedures of ECO and UN/ISDR.

No provision of this MOU shall infringe the respective mandates of ECO and UN/ISDR in accordance with their relevant rules and procedures.

The MOU shall come into force for a period of 5 years upon its signing by the Secretary General of ECO and Director of UN/ISDR.

Tehran, 9^th May, 2007

FOR THE ECONOMIC                             FOR THE UNITED

COOPERATION                                     NATIONS SECRETARIAT      ORGANIZATION                                          OF THE ISDR

Khurshid Anwar                                            Salvano Briceno

Secretary General                                       Director of UN/ISDR                       

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