Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) signed a Letter of Agreement in Islamabad on 29 April 2026 to deepen collaboration on climate modeling, disaster risk reduction and anticipatory actions aimed at strengthening national disaster management capacity through research, training and knowledge sharing.
The signing ceremony at the National Disaster Management Authority brought together SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri and NIDM Executive Director Air Commodore (retd) Tanveer Piracha, with oversight from NDMA Chairman Lt-Gen. Inam Haider Malik. The agreement frames institutional cooperation to translate research into operational tools and policy guidance.
Lt-Gen. Inam highlighted the widening intensity and exposure of disasters and emphasised that NDMA is introducing innovative disaster risk reduction interventions year-round. He noted ongoing connections with global think tanks and international NGOs, and stressed expanding technology integration, including developments led by the National Emergencies Operation Center and proactive projections such as the Pakistan Disaster Lens 2026 and Global Disaster Lens 2026.
Dr Suleri described the National Emergencies Operation Center as a rich data and evidence repository that can guide policymakers at federal, provincial and international levels. He urged multi-stakeholder action beyond a single government, proposed SDPI faculty and alumni serve as visiting faculty at NIDM, and called for increased internal resource mobilisation with dedicated allocations in annual development plans and the public sector development programme to manage growing disaster burdens.
Air Commodore (retd) Tanveer Piracha called the agreement a milestone, saying it will grow into an enduring knowledge partnership with trigger-based anticipatory actions as a top research priority. He warned that kinetic conflicts and donor fatigue have constrained funding, creating an imperative for innovative bilateral cooperation and pragmatic partnerships between institutions like SDPI and NIDM.
Under the LoA both institutions will pursue joint research and development initiatives centred on improved climate modeling, co-publish policy briefs and training materials, and organise workshops, conferences and simulation exercises. The partnership will also expand capacity-building programmes, internships and professional exchanges to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance technical expertise in disaster risk reduction.
By aligning evidence from the National Emergencies Operation Center with academic research and practical training, the SDPI–NIDM collaboration aims to deliver stronger anticipatory action and targeted resilience at grassroots level, improving Pakistan’s ability to predict, prepare for and respond to climate-driven hazards.
