The event, the latest in a series of annual joint meetings on emergency preparedness, was part of continuing efforts to bolster US-Uzbekistan security cooperation. Speaking at the event, the US Chargé d’Affaires John Underriner said, “Disaster preparedness and response is a key area in which the US and Uzbekistan can work together and learn from each other. The US looks forward to expanding and deepening cooperation with Uzbekistan in this area.”

The four-day event consisted of two parts: a Seminar on Environmental Hazards and Clean-Up, and an Intra-Ministerial/Organizational Planning Conference. During the seminar, US and Uzbek experts discussed how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the release of hazardous materials including chemical, biological, and radiological substances. During the conference, the two sides discussed cooperation across government agencies and ministries in responding to such events. The conference culminated with Uzbekistan’s annual national disaster preparedness exercises, which US participants observed. This was the first time since 2005 that the US CMEP participants were able to observe these exercises.

US experts from CMEP and the US Army Corps of Engineers travelled to Tashkent to participate in the event. They were joined by representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministries of Emergency Situations, Interior, Defense, and Health. For many, the event allowed them to reconnect with colleagues they had met at previous CMEP events. These continuing ties serve to strengthen mutual trust and understanding.

The event concluded on 16 June with a closing ceremony during which Chargé Underriner congratulated participants on the success of the event. “The seminars that have taken place over the last week have been marked by engaging discussions and very active participation. We hope we can continue such cooperation in the future,” he said.

CMEP is a Department of Defense program that encourages host nation agencies responsible for civil emergency planning and their military counterparts to cooperate on emergency preparedness and crisis management. The CMEP Program is a Partnership for Peace Program funded under the Warsaw Initiative Fund.