The fifth session of the Emergency and Crisis Management...

14 March 2016 News

The fifth session of the Emergency and Crisis Management Conference 2016 concluded today. The conference was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, and was organized by the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority under the theme "Innovative Approaches for a Safe Nation."

The event, which took place at the St. Regis Resort on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, featured local, regional, and international experts and specialists in emergency, disaster, and crisis management and lasted for two days.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants expressed their gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, for their continued support of the conference and its organizers. Their support was instrumental in the conference's success and the achievement of its positive outcomes.

Participants also extended their thanks to His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage and close follow-up of the conference and its activities.
The National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority expressed its appreciation to the sponsors and all those who contributed to the success of the fifth session of the conference, looking forward to welcoming them to the sixth session planned for 2018.

A speech was delivered during the conference by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, represented by His Excellency Faris Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Security and Military Affairs, in the presence of His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education.

The speech addressed the necessity of rapid and professional response to crises and disasters, highlighting the challenges and dangers faced by the Arab world. It emphasized the importance of strategic planning, awareness, and effective participation in confronting and managing these issues to achieve security and stability. The UAE's efforts, including its participation in the international coalition against terrorism and the establishment of centers such as Hedayah and Sawab, were also noted.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan mentioned that many countries face security disturbances and sudden incidents that could jeopardize the safety of UAE citizens abroad. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided the "Tawajudi" service to facilitate communication between UAE missions abroad and registered citizens during emergencies, aiming to evacuate and coordinate their safe return.

In conclusion, His Highness highlighted that countries are affected by international political, economic, social, and security changes. Given the various crises and disasters threatening global security and stability, international cooperation is essential. The success of addressing these crises requires collective efforts at both the Arab and international levels.

The conference resulted in several strategic recommendations, presented by Mr. Nasser Mohammed Al Yamahi, Director of Media and Public Communications at the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority and Chairman of the conference's preparatory committee. These recommendations included supporting efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, encouraging innovation and creativity, enhancing the role of the private sector, utilizing communication technology for emergency management, establishing unified Gulf policies for dealing with geopolitical threats, and creating a global dialogue platform for decision-makers to discuss emerging threats and solutions.

On the second day, the first session, chaired by media personality Ahmed Al Yamahi, discussed global changes, their causes, implications, and solutions. It featured Dr. Talal Bani Melhem, Director of the Emergency and Crisis Management Center in Jordan, who shared Jordan's experience with the refugee crisis; Sir Alan Massey, Commander of UK Border Force, who discussed structural changes in UK search and rescue operations; and Mr. Abdullah Al Jaziri, CEO of Institutional Governance at Etisalat, who addressed future preparedness.

The second session, chaired by Fatima Bou Hindi from Abu Dhabi Media, focused on the pivotal role of media in managing crises and disasters. It included speeches by Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, on media's role in crisis management; Colonel (Ret.) Dr. Fahd Al Shamali from Kuwait, who discussed media-induced crises; and Mr. Greg Webb, Communications and Media Advisor at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, who examined the Fukushima disaster from a communications perspective.

The third session addressed challenges and solutions in the recovery phase, chaired by Mr. Salem Salemine Al Naimi. It featured discussions by Mr. Frode Moering, UN Resident Coordinator in the UAE, on the role of governments and international organizations in recovery; Mr. Trevor Murphy, Head of Operational Resilience at Etihad Airways, on recovery in the aviation sector; and Mr. Julio Serge, an expert from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, on the importance of indicators and goals in monitoring changes.

Additionally, two workshops were held: one led by Engineer Hamid Khalifa Al Hajari from Tawazun Safety and Security for strategic planning in emergency management, and another by Mr. Zahir Kamel Mohammed Al-Mansoori, retired Brigadier General from the Jordanian National Defense College, on building readiness.

It is noteworthy that the Emergency and Crisis Management Conference, hosted in Abu Dhabi, remains a leading specialized conference since its first session in 2008. It has addressed critical topics at local, regional, and international levels in its previous sessions (2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014), enhancing awareness and knowledge among participants and observers, and underscoring the UAE's pivotal role in security, stability, and peace.