The 8th Arab Partnership Meeting for Disaster Risk Reduction

Seven years after the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and a year prior to the culmination of its Mid-Term Review (MTR), the world’s underlying vulnerabilities and inequities were violently exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At its seventh session, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) formulated measures to reduce disaster risk for the most vulnerable populations. The forum underlined, among other topics, the need for stronger synergies with the sustainable development and climate change agenda; the need for a transformative recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; and the need for continued development and universal access to Multihazard Early Warning Systems.

With the above backdrop and following the conclusion of the GPDRR 2022, Climate Change Conference of Parties 27; and building on the outcomes of the Arab Regional Platform for DRR and previous Arab Partnership meetings, the ‘Eighth Arab Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)’ meeting will be held on 06-07 December 2022 with an aim to take stock and accelerate the implementation of the decisions and prioritized action plans emanating for the above key processes.

The first day of the meeting will focus on the outcomes and recommendations of the GPDRR 2022, Seventh Arab Partnership Meeting for DRR, Rabat Declaration, and the Arab States Prioritized Action Plan 2021 – 2024. The day will provide an opportunity to take stock of the progress made in the region through updates and exchanges from national governments and key stakeholders from the region and discuss the opportunities to move forward in accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework

With the Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP) twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth sessions being held the Arab Region provides a unique opportunity for further strengthening the ability to reduce risk, adapt to climate change and build resilience. The second day of the meeting will focus on the outcomes of the COP27 and the way forward for the COP28 (to be held in Dubai UAE, in 2023) in enhancing synergies with Climate Change Adaptation and resilience at all levels. It will also provide an occasion to discuss the way forward in implementing the ‘Early Warning For All’ initiative launched by the United Nations Secretary-General. The presence of national Sendai Framework focal points along with national representatives from Meteorological departments and the World Meteorological Organization will provide a stage to discuss the scaling-up of early warning and early action through comprehensive disaster and climate risk management in the region. The day will also provide opportunities for partners from the UN and inter-governmental and regional organizations to share their updates and showcase their initiatives on climate and disaster risk reduction.