UN representative: Earthquakes expose structural weaknesses of cities

Most cities around the world are not prepared for seismic risks due to the multifaceted nature of these threats, Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, said during a conference held within the framework of World Urban Forum 13 in Baku.

He noted that earthquakes expose the structural weaknesses of cities.

"They reveal where housing systems, infrastructure, and land management fail. They test governance mechanisms and lead to enormous human, social, and economic losses. It is better to invest in resilience in advance than to provide assistance after a disaster," Mariyasin said.