Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia and Russia are set to formalize their collaboration in disaster management through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expected to be signed this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the upcoming agreement, which aims to establish a framework for joint training, knowledge exchange, and coordinated emergency response initiatives.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to regional leadership in disaster response, particularly as the ASEAN Chair this year. The announcement was made during a joint press conference with Russian Civil Defence, Emergencies, and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) Minister, Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, welcomed Russia’s offer of capacity-building programmes for Malaysian officers, including a specialised training course in Vladivostok scheduled for September.
Ahmad Zahid highlighted the potential for broader collaboration, including technology transfer in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications for disaster monitoring. He noted Malaysia’s active participation in international disaster response efforts, mentioning the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) team’s swift deployment to Myanmar following a recent earthquake, in collaboration with EMERCOM’s RUS-03 team.
The MoU will also facilitate joint search and rescue (SAR) training between the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) and Russia’s RUS-03 team. Ahmad Zahid expressed gratitude to Russia for its training offers and the invitation extended to Malaysia’s senior Fire and Rescue Department officers for a specialised course in St. Petersburg.
The visit by EMERCOM, including its cultural ensemble, was appreciated by Ahmad Zahid as a meaningful gesture that strengthens bilateral ties. He praised the strong working relationship between Nadma and EMERCOM, further enhanced through regional initiatives under the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM).
Ahmad Zahid is looking forward to participating in an international conference and a disaster management event hosted by Russia in Azerbaijan. Earlier, Colonel General Kurenkov highlighted discussions on professional training and education for firefighters and rescue personnel during his meeting with Ahmad Zahid.
Kurenkov noted that EMERCOM’s academies offer a variety of programmes for international specialists, including medics, dog handlers, and UAV operators. He emphasized the value of exchanging best practices and understanding Malaysia’s modern approaches to fire and rescue training.
Both nations are committed to enhancing mutual early-warning capabilities and risk communication related to natural disasters. Kurenkov mentioned the role of Russia’s National Crisis Management Centre in performing these functions and expressed optimism about the potential for further cooperation in managing the consequences of natural and manmade disasters.