A regular meeting of the member states of the Regional Advisory Search and Rescue Committee (RASARAC) was held in Tirana, Albania, on 6 and 7 May 2026. Representatives, experts, and coordinators from several countries participated in the meeting with a common goal – strengthening regional cooperation and improving the efficiency of aeronautical search and rescue (SAR) systems.

The Republic of North Macedonia was represented by officials from the Civil Aviation Agency (ACV), together with representatives from the Crisis Management Center (CMC), which performs the function of the national Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC).

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the hosts, followed by a review of activities carried out during the previous period. During the working sessions, participants presented reports on the current status within the member states, ongoing challenges, and opportunities for further improvement of coordination and operational preparedness of SAR services.

Special attention was given to the exchange of experience and best practices in the management of search and rescue operations, as well as to enhancing communication and cooperation among the competent institutions in the region. Representatives of the expert working groups presented the results of their work and proposed activities for the upcoming period.

Presentations were also delivered by JAA TO and Cospas-Sarsat regarding new technologies in the field of aeronautical search and rescue, with a particular focus on ELT-DT (Emergency Locator Transmitter – Distress Tracking) systems. The presentations highlighted the benefits of the new technological solutions, their application in modern SAR operations, and alignment with ICAO standards and recommendations.

During the meeting, Greece submitted a request for membership in the RASARAC committee. The member states welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of further expanding and strengthening regional cooperation.

It was also announced that the next committee meeting will be held in November 2026 and will include a joint SAR exercise. During that meeting, the member states are expected to decide which country will assume the next chairmanship of the committee.

The meeting in Tirana once again confirmed the importance of regional coordination, continuous training, and joint activities aimed at improving aeronautical search and rescue systems.