Penza, 1 March 2016. PenzaNews. Internal Services Major General Sergei Kozlov, head of the Penza region EMERCOM department, congratulated his colleagues with World Civil Defense Day celebrated on Tuesday, March 1.

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“I wish the veterans and professionals of civil defense, the staff of the Penza region EMERCOM department to stay healthy, lucky, keep their spirits and vital energy up, enjoy successful families and new achievements at work,” he said.

In addition, Sergei Kozlov wished the professionals of expert defense peace in their families and respect from people around them.

World Civil Defense Day is celebrated every year on March 1.

In 1931, the French Surgeon-General Georges Saint-Paul founded the Association des Lieux de Genève, the organization seeking to create neutralized zones in all countries via bilateral and multilateral agreements.

Later on, the Association had transformed into the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO), which officially became an intergovernmental organization in 1972. At present, ICDO has 55 member states and 16 observer states.

Created in 1990, World Civil Defense Day is celebrated in the ICDO countries. The date, March 1, was chosen intentionally to commemorate the entry into force of the ICDO Constitution, which was ratified by 18 states.