East Macedonia and Thrace presents disaster resilience plan at OECD conference

Charalambos Dalkitzis, Deputy Governor of the East Macedonia and Thrace Region, presented the region's disaster prevention and resilience roadmap at an OECD international conference in Valencia, Spain. Held on October 5-6, 2026, the conference, titled ‘From Crisis to Recovery: Strengthening Regional Resilience to Disasters’, marked the launch of the OECD Platform for Regional Resilience to Disasters.

Following the devastating 2023 Evros wildfire, the regional administration has prioritized early preparation and civil protection. Key initiatives presented include the improvement of 170 kilometers of firebreaks and 1,700 kilometers of forest roads, as well as the deployment of drones for aerial surveillance.

The strategy also emphasizes flood protection and enhanced cross-border cooperation with Bulgaria, noting that extreme weather events do not respect national boundaries. The regional delegation participated in leadership sessions alongside representatives from Spain, Brazil, and France to discuss managing climate-related disasters and sharing technical expertise.