On 24 June 2026, the Secretary-General of the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO), Mr. Arguj Kalantarli, held an online meeting with Major General Roger Ndikumana, Director General of Civil Protection and Disaster Management of the Republic of Burundi.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the current state of cooperation between the ICDO and the Republic of Burundi and to discuss prospects for further strengthening collaboration in the fields of civil protection and disaster risk reduction.

During the discussions, special attention was given to ICDO training and capacity-building activities, including opportunities to enhance Burundi’s participation in relevant training programmes and technical cooperation initiatives.

The parties also exchanged views on the ongoing reform and modernization efforts within the ICDO aimed at enhancing the Organization’s effectiveness, operational capabilities and cooperation mechanisms. In this regard, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation to the Burundian side for its continued support for the Organization’s ongoing initiatives and reform efforts.

Both sides further emphasized the importance of strengthening preparedness and resilience in the face of increasingly complex disaster risks and highlighted the importance of deeper cooperation within the framework of the ICDO’s International Monitoring and Coordination Centre (IMCC) and its capabilities, as well as enhanced coordination among Member States.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to further deepen cooperation and maintain regular dialogue on issues of common interest.