A Safe, Strong, and Resilient Nation

14 November 2015 News

Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority in Abu Dhabi will organize the "Emergency and Crisis Management Conference 2016" on March 13 and 14, 2016. The conference will be held under the theme "A Safe, Strong, and Resilient Nation."

This is the fifth edition of the conference, which first took place in 2008, marking a pioneering initiative in the Arab world and the broader Middle East region in the field of emergency, crisis, and disaster management.

The conference will attract a select group of experts and specialists in emergency management to share experiences from countries and institutions involved in successfully handling disasters, crises, and major events. It aims to highlight key issues and perspectives on various local and global matters, the impact of these events on local communities and nations, and the importance and methods of effectively addressing these issues.

The conference also seeks to emphasize the importance of national security from a comprehensive perspective by showcasing the significance of the collective efforts of state institutions, the community, and national unity. It will underline the importance of international cooperation to deter and address risks and threats.

The conference will draw international experts and specialists in emergency, crisis, and disaster management with the goal of enhancing the state of emergency, crisis, and disaster management in the UAE and the region specifically, and globally in general, to achieve more precise and effective preparedness and response capabilities. This will be done through maximizing the use of international experiences and expertise.

Participants will also look to learn about all available resources, their optimal use, and the latest and most advanced technologies. They will explore ways, frameworks, and mechanisms to strengthen coordination and cooperation among all concerned entities at local, regional, and international levels.

Previous editions of the conference have seen the participation of prominent figures, including ministers and officials from various countries. Notable attendees have included His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development; His Excellency Dr. Nabil Elaraby, Secretary-General of the Arab League; and His Excellency Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The conference has also welcomed Mr. António Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, along with a select group of senior officials and academics.

Past conferences have reviewed global best practices in emergency and crisis management, including programs, experiences, and technologies that contribute to enhancing the state's capabilities in handling emergencies, crises, and disasters. These conferences have hosted experts and specialists from around the world.

The Emergency and Crisis Management Conference is considered one of the leading specialized conferences in the region, highlighting the UAE's role as a key player in security, safety, and peace.

The importance of the conference is underscored by the topics addressed in previous editions, which included experts and academics from the UAE, GCC countries, and other Arab nations, as well as from Australia, the USA, the UK, Italy, Japan, and the United Nations.
Key topics discussed in previous conferences included preventive forecasting, the role of media in raising awareness about crises and disasters, community involvement, first responders, climate phenomena and natural disasters, and risk management. Other discussions covered political and security risks in the Middle East, the importance of threat analysis in risk assessment, recovery planning, the role of ports and airports in risk management, and building effective partnerships for managing emergencies and crises.

The National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority was established by a decree from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, on May 14, 2007, as part of the Supreme Council for National Security's organizational structure, and by Law Decree No. 2 of 2011, dated June 19, 2011. This was done to ensure the safety of UAE citizens and residents and to protect the state's assets and achievements.

The authority aims to implement the state's policies regarding emergency, crisis, and disaster management procedures. It coordinates and cooperates with relevant national entities to develop and coordinate strategic plans for managing emergencies, crises, and disasters, including response plans and continuity plans for critical national infrastructure. The authority oversees response capability development by proposing and coordinating programs between relevant entities at both local and national levels and updating them regularly.

The authority is also involved in preparing and updating a risk and threat register at both national and local levels, managing emergencies, crises, and disasters, coordinating roles of relevant entities in emergencies or disasters, and developing policies and standards for safety and security, business continuity, and evaluating emergency management procedures. It also engages in creating a center for information and resources related to emergencies and crises, participating in emergency and crisis management drills, and proposing legislation and regulations for emergency and crisis management.