Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has emerged as a global model in disaster management, with international powers seeking to learn from its expertise and specialized response teams, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He highlighted Malaysia's strategic cooperation with foreign countries and the acknowledgment received from the international community as evidence of this recognition. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized Malaysia's role as a reference point in disaster management, citing interest from countries like Russia and recognition from Turkiye. He noted the appreciation from Myanmar and Pakistan for the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the SMART team's contributions. Ahmad Zahid expressed these sentiments during the Resilient Asia Exposition and Forum 2026. As the chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, Ahmad Zahid underscored the need to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into disaster management, pointing out that AI-driven resour ce allocation can substantially reduce response times. He stressed the importance of developing systems that are faster, more coordinated, and responsive on the ground, as every second matters in disaster response. Malaysia has transitioned from merely learning from countries like Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to becoming a training hub for international rescue teams. The Malaysian SMART Team has garnered interest from the Russian Federation, which sought joint search and rescue training last year to enhance cross-border readiness. Ahmad Zahid stated Malaysia's commitment to becoming a regional hub and trusted partner in disaster management and humanitarian response. He invited more countries to collaborate, train together, and share knowledge to strengthen collective preparedness. The Resilient Asia 2026 Expo and Forum, themed 'AI for Future-Proofing Disaster Management Towards Stronger Communities,' convened international experts, technical agencies, response units, technology leaders, and ind ustry players from across Asia to focus on technology-driven transformation in disaster management. Notable attendees included Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Pahang state secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, and NADMA director-general Meor Ismail Meor Akim.