Armenia, Sweden discuss cooperation in natural disaster risk  management 

ArmInfo. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Mkrtchyan, at a meeting with the delegation led by Henrik Herber, Head of the Resilience Program of the Department of Emergency Situations and Operations of the Swedish  Emergency Management Agency, highly appreciated the effective  cooperation established between Armenia and Sweden in the field of  disaster risk management.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of  Armenia, Mkrtchyan emphasized the importance of active interaction  between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Swedish side within  the framework of the program "Prevention, Preparedness and Response  to Natural and Man-Made Disasters in the Eastern Partnership  Countries".

Mkrtchyan also presented the current reforms of the Ministry of  Internal Affairs, in particular, programs aimed at developing the  professional capabilities of rescuers in the field of disaster risk  management. He emphasized the importance of improving warning and  information systems for the population, as well as the stage of  implementing comprehensive strategies and legislative changes.  According to him, active international cooperation in this process  continues to be a priority.

In the context of the transformation of the educational environment,  the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs spoke about the introduction  of new educational programs for the training of rescuers. He noted  that in the near future it is planned to merge the operational  management centers of the Rescue Service and the Police under the  Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to significantly increase the  efficiency of operational response and management.

In turn, Henrik Gerber highly appreciated the effectiveness of the  existing cooperation and emphasized the strategic importance of joint  work in the field of disaster risk management. He presented the  activities of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and upcoming  programs.

The meeting discussed the prospects for bilateral cooperation, as  well as specific steps in this direction. The parties expressed their  readiness to continue exchanging experience in the field of disaster  risk management, as well as to expand joint initiatives to improve  the sector.