The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has officially become a full member of the Civil Protection Mechanism under the Organization of Turkic States (TDT), marking a milestone in international cooperation for disaster response and recovery. Established following the decision at the 8th TDT Summit in Istanbul in 2021, this mechanism focuses on joint search, rescue, and recovery efforts to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and aid in recovery.

The agreement, finalized on June 7 and July 17, 2024, was signed by TDT member countries Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan at the recent 11th TDT Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 6, 2024. The TRNC, actively involved since the mechanism's inception, joins as a full member along with other observer countries, a historic step for Turkish Cypriot representation in an international organization.

The Mechanism will mobilize joint disaster response capacities to support urgent needs in member and observer countries. Participation in response activities remains voluntary, allowing member countries to collaborate flexibly on disaster relief.

Coordinated Efforts and Expanding Cooperation

The TRNC Civil Defense Organization Presidency, along with representatives from the TRNC Ministry of Internal Affairs, has played a significant role in discussions, collaborating with TDT member states to establish the Mechanism's framework. The Mechanism will not only address disasters within the member countries but also seek consensus for possible responses to third-country emergencies.

The TRNC’s full membership empowers it to participate actively in all Mechanism activities, enhancing cooperation and solidarity in the face of disasters. This participation reinforces the TRNC’s commitment to joint resilience-building efforts alongside other Turkic states.