Eleventh Arab Partnership Meeting for Disaster Risk Reduction successfully concludes with renewed commitments to regional resilience
28-30 October 2024, the Eleventh Arab Partnership Meeting for Disaster Risk Reduction convened virtually, bringing together Arab governments, disaster risk reduction stakeholders, and international partners to evaluate the region's progress on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The meeting, which spanned three days and was organized by the UNDRR Regional Office Arab States, served as a vital platform for sharing updates, discussing challenges, and refining strategies to reduce disaster risk across the Arab region.
The Arab Partnership for DRR, a multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism established by the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States, has played an instrumental role in fostering collaboration since its inception in 2018. As the Arab region grapples with increasing climate-related hazards, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and systemic risks, this meeting underscored the urgency of collective action and regional cooperation.
"In 2023 and 2024, we witnessed a series of catastrophic events, including earthquakes, floods, and severe drought, which led to food insecurity affecting some 25 million people. Several countries also recorded unprecedented temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, increasing health risks. The economic losses resulting from these disasters amounted to billions of dollars, requiring urgent humanitarian responses exceeding USD$3 billion," said Nora Achkar, Chief of UNDRR Regional Office Arab States, in her opening remarks. "These events serve as an important reminder of our shared vulnerabilities and the absolute importance of working together."
Progress in implementing the Sendai Framework
A central focus of the meeting was reviewing the progress made by Arab countries in implementing the Sendai Framework, particularly through the Arab Prioritized Action Plan (2021-2024). Representatives from various Arab countries provided updates on national strategies, highlighting advancements in disaster risk reduction and areas requiring further investment. Many noted the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, stressing the need for strengthening resilience at both the national and local levels.
"Our Arab region faces major challenges as a result of natural hazards, the effects of climate change, and rapid urban expansion. Therefore, regional cooperation has become an urgent necessity to ensure effective steps are taken to reduce these risks, and to ensure better protection for our societies and the future of our generations," said Brigadier Ahmed Haif Al Rashidi, Deputy Chief of Kuwait Fire Force.
The meeting also addressed the challenges some nations face, including insufficient data on disaster impacts and the need for greater public awareness. Nevertheless, countries demonstrated a strong commitment to improving their disaster preparedness, with many referencing new policies, enhanced early warning systems, and local capacity-building initiatives as positive steps forward.
Regional progress, achievements, and challenges
As part of the review of progress made in implementing the prioritized action plan (2021-2024) in the Arab countries, a set of important achievements and challenges emerge in the four priority areas of the Sendai Framework. In the first priority: Understanding disaster risks, 12 countries have worked to integrate disaster risk reduction concepts into educational curricula, while 20 countries are working to build human capacity to develop national action plans for risk reduction, and 11 countries have allocated budgets in line with the basic needs of this priority. Regarding the second priority: strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk, only two countries have adopted Sendai Framework monitoring indicators to monitor the implementation of their national strategies, while there are noticeable efforts to develop or update legislation related to disaster risk reduction, as 19 countries have developed or updated this legislation.
As for the third priority: investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, 7 countries have encouraged the private sector to adopt investments in resilient businesses capable of facing disasters. Finally, the fourth priority: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction, emerged through the participation of local authorities in 11 countries in people-centred early warning systems, to enhance preparedness and effective response to disasters.
Stakeholder engagement and voluntary commitments
One of the standout features of the Eleventh Arab Partnership Meeting was the active participation of various DRR stakeholders, including civil society organizations, scientific communities, and the private sector. Several groups presented updates on their voluntary commitments, a proof of the region’s multi-stakeholder approach to disaster risk reduction. The Arab Disability group for DRR, Arab Science and Technology Advisory Group for DRR (Arab – STAG), Arab Civil Society Group for DRR, Red Cross & Red Crescent National Societies Stakeholder Group for DRR, Arab Gender Equality and Women Empowerment for DRR, Arab Children & Youth Group for DRR, Arab Media Stakeholder Group for DRR, and the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE) Egypt were among those sharing their contributions to strengthening resilience.
Participants praised the growing involvement of cities in DRR initiatives, particularly through the Making Cities Resilient (MCR2030) program. Local authorities from cities such as Anbar, Aswan, Dubai, Aqaba, Madaba, Saida, and Beirut shared success stories of implementing disaster risk reduction measures at the municipal level. These stories illustrated how cities, often at the frontlines of disaster impacts, are adopting innovative approaches to build resilience, from integrating climate risk assessments into urban planning to improving public awareness of disaster preparedness.
Preparing for the Sixth Arab Regional Platform for DRR
The meeting also provided a crucial update on preparations for the upcoming Sixth Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, scheduled to be hosted by the State of Kuwait on 9-12 February 2025. Participants received insights into the platform's agenda, which will focus on enhancing community resilience across the Arab region. The Sixth Platform aims to foster stronger regional collaboration, aligning efforts to mitigate disaster risk with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global climate frameworks.
The upcoming platform will feature thematic discussions on key challenges facing the region, including climate change, urbanization, and socio-economic disparities. Side events and a marketplace of innovative DRR solutions are also expected to provide valuable networking opportunities and the chance to showcase best practices from across the region.
International support and global alignment
International and UN organizations provided updates on their initiatives aimed at supporting the Arab region's DRR efforts. Various UN organizations reaffirmed their commitment to helping countries build resilient systems capable of addressing both immediate disaster risks and long-term climate adaptation needs and exerting their joint efforts to implement the early warning for all initiative. Participants were also briefed on upcoming global events, including the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and COP29, emphasizing the need for regional alignment with international DRR goals.
A key takeaway from these discussions was the recognition of the interconnectedness of disaster risk, climate change, and sustainable development. Speakers emphasized the importance of integrating DRR strategies into broader socio-economic policies to build resilient communities capable of withstanding a range of shocks, from natural hazards to public health crises.
Strengthening regional cooperation
The Eleventh Arab Partnership Meeting concluded with a call for enhanced cooperation across all levels - national, regional, and local. The discussions highlighted the critical role of regional organizations like the League of Arab States in fostering cooperation and knowledge-sharing among member states. Several participants stressed the importance of continued dialogue and shared experiences, especially as the region faces evolving risks due to climate change, migration, and urbanization.
In her closing remarks, Nora Achkar, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States, commended the strong participation and expressed deep appreciation to all participants and stakeholders for their commitment, reaffirming UNDRR's assurance to supporting Arab countries in their DRR efforts. She emphasized that regional resilience could only be achieved through collective action and stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society.
The Eleventh Arab Partnership Meeting set the stage for the forthcoming Arab Regional Platform for DRR, reaffirming the region's resolve to reduce disaster risks and build more resilient communities across the Arab countries.