Türkiye has reached 1,104 earthquake monitoring stations across the country, giving it the highest earthquake monitoring capacity in Europe, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) President Ali Hamza Pehlivan said Monday.

Pehlivan made the remarks as Istanbul hosts the 40th General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission (ESC) and the ESC2026 European Seismology Congress.

Speaking during the congress, he stressed that earthquakes and other disasters do not recognize national borders, making international cooperation and scientific research essential to reducing risks and limiting the impact of disasters.

"Disasters are a shared global concern. Earthquakes and faults do not recognize borders,” Pehlivan said.

He noted that an earthquake in one country can affect other countries in various ways, including through structural damage as well as social and economic consequences.

Nearly 1,000 participants from 60 countries are attending the congress, where around 800 scientific papers are expected to be presented.

Pehlivan said scientific research needs to be translated into practical measures that can help societies prepare for earthquakes and reduce their impact.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening buildings, improving infrastructure and developing resilient cities capable of withstanding disasters.

"Ultimately, natural events can turn into disasters when people or other living beings are involved,” he said.

"The way to prevent this and reduce its impact is to identify and eliminate risks in a timely manner.”

Pehlivan said the scientific papers presented at the congress will be compiled into a joint declaration, as was done during previous general assemblies.

He added that the event is not limited to theoretical discussions, with participants also able to see practical products and outcomes resulting from scientific research.

The congress brings together scientists, academics, engineers, professional organizations, AFAD and other relevant institutions, with the aim of strengthening cooperation on disaster risk reduction.

1999 Marmara earthquake

Pehlivan described the 1999 Marmara earthquake as a turning point in Türkiye’s approach to disaster management.

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Marmara region on Aug. 17, 1999, killing more than 17,000 people and causing widespread destruction, particularly in Kocaeli, Yalova and Sakarya provinces.

Pehlivan said various measures were introduced following the disaster, including the establishment of AFAD as part of efforts to create a more coordinated disaster management system.

He said Türkiye has since moved toward an Integrated Disaster Management approach that covers preparedness and risk reduction before disasters, effective intervention during emergencies and recovery afterward.

Pehlivan said AFAD continues to strengthen the country’s scientific and technical capacity through cooperation with universities and research institutions.

He said the monitoring network provides important data for understanding seismic activity and supporting efforts to identify earthquake risks.

"As AFAD, together with our relevant institutions, we attach great importance to scientific studies while also carrying out administrative work, planning and projects in this field,” Pehlivan said.

"Today, we have reached 1,104 earthquake monitoring stations across Türkiye. This means we have the highest capacity in Europe,” he said.