Strengthening Emergency Telecommunications and Early Warning Systems in Eurasia

Workshop highlights from Tajikistan

 

Countries in Eurasia are exposed to a range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides and severe weather events. Effective early warning and emergency telecommunications systems are critical to ensuring that populations receive timely alerts and that response agencies can coordinate effectively during crises.

A two-day capacity-building workshop in Tajikistan brought together key stakeholders from government, mobile network operators, international organisations and the wider technology ecosystem. The workshop focused on strengthening understanding of emergency telecommunications and exploring the potential deployment of Cell Broadcast (CB) systems as part of national Early Warning Systems (EWS).

The workshop supported national preparedness efforts by:

• Strengthening resilience through mobile connectivity
• Increasing awareness of Early Warning Systems and Cell Broadcast technology
• Promoting collaboration between government agencies, mobile network operators and humanitarian organisations
• Supporting the development of a National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP)
• Exploring emerging technologies, including mobile big data, AI and digital financial services in humanitarian response

Participants included representatives from the Government of Tajikistan, mobile operators and international organisations such as ITU, RCC and UN agencies, alongside ecosystem partners.

Through presentations, case studies, interactive discussions and scenario-based exercises, the workshop addressed key aspects of preparedness, response and coordination. Sessions covered business continuity management, infrastructure resilience, industry collaboration and innovations for emergency response.

A key focus was Cell Broadcast technology, recognised as one of the most effective tools for delivering rapid and reliable public warning messages. Participants explored implementation considerations from both a technology and operational perspective, alongside global best practices.

The workshop strengthened coordination between stakeholders, increased awareness of Cell Broadcast and identified next steps towards enhancing national emergency communication capabilities. Discussions also highlighted interest in a potential Cell Broadcast readiness assessment for Tajikistan and continued regional engagement on Early Warning Systems.