The Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan hosted an international conference on natural disaster risk reduction. The main outcome was the completion of a joint project with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to modernise the seismological monitoring system in the Ashgabat region. This is reported by IIC.

Within the framework of the project, a digital system for real-time observation of seismic activity was created. Four modern seismometers were installed around the capital, and three broadband stations were installed outside the city. Special attention was paid to the organisation of a monitoring network in 11 settlements of Ashgabat.

The experts of the two countries discussed the issues of preparing the population for emergencies and application of advanced technologies in seismology, as well as considered the prospects for further cooperation. Experts from Turkmenistan and Japan presented the results of the joint project on modernisation of the seismological monitoring system. The data obtained will help improve seismic design standards for buildings.