China, ASEAN boost cooperation on urban emergency search and rescue

NANNING, 17 September 2026 (TATOLI) — China and ASEAN countries are seeking to strengthen cooperation in emergency search and rescue, disaster prevention and urban resilience as the 3rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Urban Emergency Search and Rescue kicks off in Nanning, China.

The five-day workshop, running from September 17 to 21 on the sidelines of the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo, is themed “Artificial Intelligence Empowering Urban Emergency Search and Rescue.”

Co-hosted and co-chaired by China, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Malaysia, the workshop brings together about 400 participants, including disaster-management and fire-service officials from the 27 ARF participating countries, and entities, representatives of international organisations, researchers and industry experts.

Three firefighters from Timor-Leste are participating in the event, alongside TATOLI President Noémio Mateus Soares Falcão and journalist Filomeno Martins. Their participation marks an important milestone for Timor-Leste following its admission to ASEAN last year.

The meeting is focused on improving regional cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, with particular attention to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies in emergency response and rescue operations.

Opening and plenary sessions will examine regional cooperation in emergency rescue, fire-safety governance and the application of AI to disaster management and fire and rescue operations.

Participants will also explore ways to expand practical cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in responding to common disaster risks and improving the resilience of cities.

A key part of the programme is the Fire and Rescue Equipment and Technology Exhibition Area at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo, which is showcasing technologies and equipment for urban emergency search and rescue, disaster monitoring, early warning and intelligent command systems.

The exhibition features unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, robotic dogs, intelligent sensing systems and AI-powered command and dispatch technologies designed to support emergency operations.

Senior officials are also holding discussions on emergency search and rescue capacity-building and mechanisms for international cooperation.

The discussions will assess the capabilities and needs of participating countries and consider ways to strengthen institutionalised cooperation under the ARF framework, including information sharing, joint exercises and the mutual recognition of standards.

Participants are also expected to discuss the possible development of a regional framework for emergency search and rescue cooperation.

Four academic symposiums will focus on new-energy safety, disaster-risk monitoring and early warning, urban safety and resilience, intelligent fire and rescue technologies, and international humanitarian rescue cooperation.

Experts will exchange experiences in managing safety risks linked to the rapid development of new-energy industries and identify potential areas for regional cooperation.

Other discussions will examine urban disaster-risk monitoring and early-warning systems, as well as the use of AI, drones and robots in fire and rescue operations.

Experts will also consider how international humanitarian organisations can improve coordination during disaster response and relief operations.

The programme includes technical exchanges and training sessions for fire and rescue personnel, followed by a multi-hazard urban field exercise demonstrating coordinated responses to complex emergencies.

The exercise will simulate a range of scenarios, including typhoons, floods, building collapses, traffic accidents and fires, highlighting the importance of rapid coordination among emergency response agencies.

The competition will showcase innovative achievements in AI-enabled emergency rescue and promote technology application, scenario validation and the commercialization of results.

The competition will feature young innovation teams developing technological solutions aimed at improving emergency response and helping protect lives during disasters.

The ARF is an ASEAN-led multilateral security dialogue and cooperation mechanism that brings together countries and entities from across the Asia-Pacific region to address common political and security challenges.

The workshop would provide a platform for participants to strengthen emergency rescue cooperation, exchange technological expertise and improve regional resilience to disasters.

China remains committed to working with ASEAN countries to develop a more efficient and intelligent regional emergency management system.

TATOLI