General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recognizing that natural disasters, industrial accidents, infrastructure failures, and other emergencies may affect multiple nations or require international assistance,

Concerned that incompatible communications systems and procedures may delay emergency assistance, endanger responders, and impede the coordination of relief efforts,

Affirming that effective international emergency coordination can be achieved while preserving national control over domestic emergency services,

Hereby:

1. Requires member nations to maintain at least one reliable means through which their appropriate emergency authorities can rapidly communicate with the corresponding authorities of other nations during emergencies requiring international coordination;

2. Requires member nations participating in international emergency operations to maintain procedures permitting the timely exchange of information necessary for:

   1. requesting or offering emergency assistance;

   2. identifying affected areas and immediate hazards;

   3. coordinating rescue, medical, evacuation, and disaster-relief operations; and

   4. notifying other nations of significant threats reasonably expected to cross national borders.
      

3. Requires member nations to take reasonable measures to ensure that their emergency authorities can effectively communicate with foreign emergency authorities when providing or receiving international assistance, including through compatible communications methods, translation capabilities, standardized emergency terminology, or other appropriate means;

4. Affirms that each member nation retains authority over its domestic emergency services, communications infrastructure, equipment, and command structure, and that nothing herein requires:

   1. the disclosure of classified information or information whose disclosure would create a substantial threat to public or national security;

   2. the replacement of existing domestic emergency communications systems; or

   3. the acceptance of international emergency assistance without the consent of the receiving nation.