The League of Arab States launched the First Arab Forum on Early Warning and Disaster Preparedness at the headquarters of the League’s General Secretariat on 17 December, with high-level participation from representatives of Arab states, regional and international organisations, United Nations agencies, and experts specialising in disaster risk reduction and early warning systems.
The forum is held under the theme “Together for Better Coordination and More Effective Response,” in light of the marked increase in the frequency and severity of natural and man-made disasters affecting the Arab region, along with their escalating humanitarian, economic, and developmental impacts. This shows the imperative to strengthen early warning systems and proactive preparedness as fundamental pillars for protecting lives and property and enhancing community resilience.
In the opening address delivered by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Manzalawi, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Sector for International Political Affairs, on behalf of His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, he affirmed that the Arab region faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change and the growing incidence of extreme weather events. He said that shifting from a post-disaster response approach to one centred on preparedness, prevention, and early warning has become an indispensable strategic necessity, requiring coordinated national, regional, and international efforts.
He added that the League of Arab States plays a pivotal role in leading and coordinating joint Arab action in disaster risk reduction, through the adoption of the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2030, the establishment of the Arab Coordination Mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the launch of specialised Arab programmes and initiatives. These efforts contribute to enhancing the readiness of Arab states and building integrated regional systems for early warning and disaster preparedness.
Ambassador Al-Manzalawi noted that the forum provides a high-level Arab platform for exchanging expertise and experiences, strengthening coordination among Arab states and their partners, and formulating a shared regional vision to develop comprehensive and effective early warning systems capable of reaching all segments of society, in alignment with relevant international initiatives, foremost among them the United Nations’ “Early Warning for All” initiative.
The forum is convened under the auspices of the League of Arab States, in partnership and cooperation with a number of Arab, regional, and international organisations, including the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation (ARCO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), alongside several specialised Arab organisations, regional centres, and relevant national authorities.
Over the course of two days, the forum will address a range of key issues, including enhancing the effectiveness of early warning systems, linking early warning with response mechanisms, the role of technology and communications, sustainable financing, capacity building, and the review of successful Arab experiences and best regional practices in this field.
