ABU DHABI, 10th May, 2023 (WAM) – Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, the Crisis and Emergency Management Summit – Abu Dhabi 2023, held on 9th and 10th May 2023 at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and organised by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), has concluded.
The summit was attended by a number of officials, academics, experts, innovators and participants from around the world representing the emergency, crisis and disaster management authorities from regional and international organizations concerned with crises and disasters management.
Recommendations from the two-day summit
The culmination of Crisis and Emergency Management Summit CEMS – Abu Dhabi 2023 included thirteen recommendations by a group of experts and specialists. The recommendations were formulated based on the most significant information, ideas and experiences shared during the event which enabled the Committee to draw a clear road map to move forward.
Recommendations included the paramount importance of well-planned operations to respond to emergencies, the need for enhanced cooperation among all parties involved in the emergency and crisis management system especially civil society, the prioritization of education and training as it is a basis for improving the performance of emergency and crisis institutions, and the development of efficient international standards for emergency and crisis management.
The recommendations also included the importance of consistent coordination and cooperation between nations and organisations involved in local emergency and crisis management; establishing trust in the exchange of information and expertise between international organizations, countries and regions of the world; utilizing modern technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in the national emergency and crisis management system; and addressing the next generation of risks brought about by current economic conditions through studies and research to raise preparedness.
The recommendations also highlighted the importance of developing a clear approach to foreseeing crisis and disasters; identifying and assessing risks to develop various systems and methodologies to face them; raising awareness levels of community members to enhance their response and minimizing society's vulnerability to threats; and building a more sustainable future for next generations that calls for enhanced international climate action efforts.
Addressing global climate challenges, the summit calls for countries to enhance resilience through investment and climate adaptation in cities to reduce the economic impact of future climate change crises. Finally, the summit emphasized in its recommendations that the emergency and crisis management is both a science and art, and that logic, philosophy and other areas of humanities are involved in the preparation of the future generation of emergency and crisis management leaders.
Keynote speeches and discussions from prominent figures in the sector
For his part, Ali Saeed Al Neyadi, Chairman of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, thanked the wise leadership of the UAE, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his keenness to uphold the esteemed reputation of the nation and the leadership’s prioritization of human development and national security. He expressed his gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, for his patronage of CEMS, explaining that the recommendations of the summit is the fruit of the exchange of knowledge, experiences and ideas of the prominent participants who came from various backgrounds in the crisis and emergency management sector. The recommendations reflect the positive outcomes of the incredible response in enhancing the efforts of the international emergency action system.
Al Neyadi added that organising the summit comes within the framework of implementing the directives of the wise leadership in the country, where the Authority has paid great attention to hosting international meetings for emergency, crisis and disaster management in the UAE with the aim of learning from international experiences, expertise and technologies that contribute to enhancing NCEMA’s role and capabilities in managing and foreseeing emergencies, crises and disasters.
He stressed that the NCEMA thanks the support of the wise leadership that was the guiding light in the development and progress experienced by the UAE, which made the nation establish its reputation at the local, regional and international stage. NCEMA has become a frontrunner in the field of safeguarding the country's resources, including its people through an integrated national system for emergency, crisis and disaster management.
Al Neyadi pointed out that this year's summit is particularly significant in light of increasing threats and risks, as well as the emergence of new and complex challenges of non-traditional threats. The summit also discussed the rapid developments in technology, which can aid in properly foreseeing the future and preparing to build capacities to face challenges and risks while strengthening the need for international cooperation to discuss modern methods of disaster and crisis management.
Al Neyadi explained that the presence of distinguished elites of senior officials, experts, specialists, academics and other related parties greatly contributed to the discussion of topics addressed at the summit. This hosting of the summit enhances the global position of the UAE, and contributes to the advancement of emergency, disaster and crisis management in the country, the region, and the world. It ensures a more accurate, efficient and responsive preparedness in the face of emergency or crisis of any kind, by making the most of global experiences.
In her keynote speech, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, said: "We see how the world can be affected by the repercussions of crises that occur, especially the sudden ones that we are not prepared for. But this is precisely what should bring us together to do more—to build bridges of communications and initiate dialogues, conduct rigorous research and continuous learning to develop new technologies, tools and ideas that may serve as our frontline defense that will safeguard the planet from risks and threats. The Crisis and Emergency Management Summit – Abu Dhabi 2023 is an ideal global platform that not only focuses on current and foreseeable crises and disasters, but it also brings together nations to prepare for possible threats and enhance preparedness. One of the main objectives of the event is to achieve significant progress in our methodologies of thinking when it comes to prevention of risks and losses, as well as mitigation of impact."
Sheikha Shamma added: "Climate change is currently one of the biggest threats to the entire planet and it affects us all. Without international cooperation and coordinated action, sharing of experiences and knowledge, as well as integration of technology in the crisis and disasters management system, as what we are exactly doing in this summit, we never would have made significant strides in this field. I believe that the continuation of this approach will undoubtedly bring us to the desired results in climate action that we all collectively aspire."
During his keynote speech, Maqsoud Kruse, Chairman of the National Human Rights Institution, said: “The human being is the main element of emergencies and crises management. The National Human Rights Institution is the first of its kind in the UAE, as it works in accordance with the Paris Principles and it has 6 permanent committees that work together to achieve the objectives of the commission to cover all aspects of safeguarding human rights in an effort to enhance its conditions in the country. The UAE prioritizes upholding it, including national stability and development at the top of its priorities.”
Kruse also stated during his speech that the concept of human rights should not be limited to crises. The right to progress should have been promoted before the crisis, including the protection of families, the elderly, children, people of determination and all members of society.
Kruse extended his sincere thanks to the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority for organizing this event, which is a global event for intellectuals and experts. It is an opportunity to discuss ideas and developments related to the field. He added: "We hope that such events that mainly focuses on human beings will continue, and from this point of view, we can focus on the essence of the summit which is protection of humans.”
His Excellency Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, Director of the National Operations Center of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said: "Preparing for the future of emergencies and crises has become an urgent need for governments to effectively face foreseeable and unforeseeable threats and disasters for a resilient world and prosperous future. Countries should be proactive and should integrate technology and the latest technologies such as utilizing big data and applying Artificial Intelligence."
Dr. Saeed Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Director of the Center for Futures Studies at the University of Dubai, said: "Foreseeing the future of crises and disasters has become one of the highest priorities in the strategies of governments in countries around the world to ensure readiness to face these crises and disasters.”
Al Dhaheri added: “In the summit, one of the discussed topics, in which I am pleased to participate, was on foreseeing the future of emergencies and crises and the next generation of risks to highlight the importance of proper planning and preparedness to face future threats, whether natural or unnatural. My participation in this session comes within the framework of the joint cooperation of the Center for Futures Studies at the University of Dubai and the Department of Hazardous Materials of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Authority.”
For his part, Dr. Ali bin Seba Al Marri, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, said that the session he participated in, under the title of "National Leadership Building System in Emergency and Crisis Management", highlights the importance of the role of leaders and officials in preparing, qualifying and empowering future leaders in emergency management. This leads to preparing for all possible scenarios and working accordingly with set strategies based on knowledge and experiences from the past, and transforming them into learning experiences and building on them to achieve positive outcomes to reach optimal solutions. He stressed the importance of an integrated system to qualify future leaders to deal with crises and emergencies in various related sectors.
Dr. Charilaos Mertzanis, Professor of Finance at the Abu Dhabi University, said that managing pandemic risks and repercussions is an important element to maintain economic stability because outbreaks of infectious diseases can have significant economic consequences, adding that a rapid outbreak of disease can cause disruption to supply chains and disrupt travel and trade, leading to a decline in economic activity that leads to financial losses.
Dr. Mertzanis gave the example of the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses around the world were forced to temporarily close, resulting in poor revenues and massive job losses. There was a ripple effect across the economy, with lower consumer spending and rising unemployment rate that led to recession in some countries.
"Outbreaks can also increase healthcare cost, as well as deplete government resources, which can have long-term effects on economic stability. Financial markets can be significantly affected by pandemics, stock prices can fall, and investors may suffer losses as a result of reduced economic activity and loss of confidence in the economic sector.”
By taking proactive steps to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases such as public health measures and vaccination campaigns, governments and businesses can contribute to mitigating the economic impact of pandemics and maintaining financial stability by enhancing preparedness and putting effective crisis and disasters management systems in place”, he ended.
Agenda of CEMS day two
The activities of the second day of the summit included several discussion sessions such as "Foreseeing the Future of Emergencies and Crises and the Next Generation of Risks”. The session covered raising preparedness for unexpected threats and disasters and the speakers were Dr. Saif Juma Al Dhaheri, Director of the National Operations Center of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority; Dr. Saeed Khalfan AlDhaheri, Director of the Center for Futures Studies at the University of Dubai; Dr. Charilaos Mertzanis, Professor of Finance at Abu Dhabi University; and Dr. Diego Otegui, Assistant Professor of Crisis and Disaster Management at the University of Central Missouri. The session was moderated by Dr. Khameis Alabdouli, Program Chair of the Foundation and General Education and Assistant Professor of Integrated Emergency Management and Business Continuity at the Rabdan Academy.
The second session of day two of the summit was entitled, "Preparing the Community for Emergencies and Crises”. It discussed mechanisms of including the community as a key success partner in emergency and crisis management, which requires awareness and cohesion by the community to know how to face crises and disasters. The discussion session was moderated by Mr. Eisa Al Marzooqi, a journalist from Sky News Arabia.
The third session of the second day highlighted on preparing the next generation of leaders to face emergencies and crises, entitled "Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders to Face Emergencies and Crises", in which Dr. Ali bin Seba Al Marri, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, and Dr. Adnan Olwan, a retired Major General and expert in emergency and crisis management, leadership development and strategies of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, were the speakers. The session was moderated by Dr. Faisal Ahmed AlKaabi, Dean of Faculty of Resilience at Rabdan Academy.
Conclusion
At the end of the summit, participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the wise leadership of the UAE for its efforts to enhance the emergency, crisis, and disaster management industry, especially to H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, for his generosity in sponsoring the summit.
The participants thanked the graciousness and hospitality of the people of the UAE, especially the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, for the flawless organisation of the successful event and the selection of the most vital topics in shaping the future of emergencies and crises management.
This summit is the most prominent event of its kind in the Gulf region and the rest of the world. It serves as a global platform for participants to exchange knowledge, ideas and experiences with a group of international experts, academics and key figures in the field of emergency and crisis management through a series of discussion sessions and workshops. The summit’s main objective is to reach the best solutions and recommendations in overcoming emergencies and crises for a resilient crisis management system that can avoid foreseeable calamities and mitigate its effects.