Business Resilience in the Face of COVID-19 in the Arab States

Background:  
 
The private sector is a critical participant in the creation of risk-resilient societies. By combining the intellectual (know-how) and capital assets of the private sector with the public sector and other stakeholders’ knowledge, outreach and resources, solutions will be developed and implemented to achieve the Targets of the Sendai Framework by 2030. These include operational, communication, policy, investment, risk management and technical solutions.  
 
UNDRR works with ARISE members through the regional and national networks to engage current and potential ARISE members to implement risk informed business practices. ARISE members engage in capacity development, education and participation in the development of required policies, standards, tools and regulations through application of private sector expertise and innovation to reduce disaster risks at the national and local level. 
 
Rationale:   
COVID- 19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption around the world, with measures to contain the spread of the virus having significant impacts on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) globally and in the Arab countries. 
 Many SMEs face significant challenges, the increased likelihood of closure, the stumble in wage payments, the difficulty of collecting financial benefits and many other challenges. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Arab state ARISE  are keen to achieve many of the strategic objectives associated with the response to COVID-19  pandemic,  one of the main activities emerging from these strategic objectives is to provide guidance and tools to implement business continuity within factories and companies, particularly small and medium-sized companies, in order to increase resilience in these enterprises. 
 
To improve the resilience of small  and medium-sized companies there must be good risk management,  an accident and emergency response structure and clear plans and procedures to ensure business continuity, so this dialogue session will be suitable for SME owners and we will work together to clarify the basis for developing an action plan to implement business continuity within these different entities.   
Webinar Goal:  The main objective of this discussion session is to clarify the importance of business recovery and continuity and how to lead in such a challenging time and be able to contribute to the continuity of companies in providing their services and products in light of the repercussions of COVID-19. 

Specific Objectives:  1. Understand Sendai Framework linkages in improving the resilience of small and mediumsized companies and the Impact of COVID 19 on Enterprises (Emerging, Small, Medium) 2. Beyond the epidemic, opportunities, challenges and how to plan for it  3. A look at the government measures in the United Arab Emirates to support the private sector 4. The importance of applying business continuity in order to enhance the company’s resilience & how to implement business continuity in light of the limited available resources 5. Technology, innovative solutions and Artificial Intelligence role in supporting business continuity  
 
Speakers:  
The webinar will be led by 4 panelists from UNDRR ROAS, the ARISE Global Stakeholder Group for DR, NCEMA, UAE and National Technology Group, KSA.  
1. Mr. Sujit Mohanty, Chief - UNDRR ROAS  2. Dr. Saif Al Dahari, NCEMA  3. Ahmed Riyadh, Board Member – ARISE / Founder of “Together we Continue” initiative  4. Eng. Rasheed AL Ballaa, Chief Operating Officer - National Technology Group

To attend, kindly register here:

https://undrr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g66GQFkzSvOcZBV-Cv7vAQ