MALAYSIA, PUTRAJAYA, June 19, 2025 — Malaysia and Russia have taken significant steps to bolster bilateral cooperation in disaster management, following an official courtesy visit by H.E. Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM), to Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Putrajaya this morning.
The visit underscores both nations’ commitment to translating their shared vision into impactful, actionable outcomes. Discussions focused on finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EMERCOM and Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). Key areas of collaboration include joint training exercises, technology transfer, and coordinated emergency response mechanisms.
Among the initiatives discussed were joint rescue operation drills between Malaysia’s SMART Team and Russia’s RUS-03 unit, as well as real-time video conferencing between Malaysia’s National Disaster Control Centre (NDCC) and Russia’s National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC). These efforts highlight a shared dedication to enhancing real-time, bilateral communication during actual disaster scenarios.
Malaysia expressed appreciation for EMERCOM’s offer to provide specialized training for Malaysian officers in Vladivostok and for Russia’s commitment to advancing technological cooperation, particularly in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for disaster monitoring.
“Insya-Allah, this partnership will continue to grow, not only through technical capabilities but also through cultural exchange and a shared spirit of global humanitarianism,” said Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The strengthened ties reflect a mutual resolve to build resilience and preparedness in addressing natural disasters, fostering a robust framework for future collaboration.
