Regional Meeting: Arab ministers responsible for disaster risk reduction will convene in Cairo this Wednesday, hosted by the Arab League, to enhance regional cooperation and address natural disaster impacts.
Agenda Highlights: Key topics include monitoring natural hazards, implementing the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, launching a new initiative on marine disasters, selecting a slogan for Arab Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, and preparing for the Arab Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in Kuwait.
Urgency and Challenges: Dr. Ali Al-Maliki emphasized the escalating threats from climate change and environmental degradation, including desertification, wildfires, and water scarcity, highlighting the need for urgent collective action.
Cairo, August 19, 2024 — Arab ministers responsible for disaster risk reduction are set to meet in Cairo this Wednesday to address a range of pressing regional challenges related to natural disasters. The meeting, hosted by the Arab League, aims to enhance regional cooperation in order to better manage and mitigate the impacts of such disasters.
The key agenda items for the meeting include:
Monitoring Natural Hazards: Discussions will focus on improving the mechanisms for tracking and assessing natural hazards in the region.
Implementation of the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction: The ministers will review the progress of the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, ensuring its effective implementation across member states.
New Initiative on Marine Disasters: A significant topic on the agenda is the launch of a new initiative aimed at addressing and mitigating marine disasters, which have become increasingly important given the region’s extensive coastlines.
In addition, the ministers will work on selecting a slogan for the Arab Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, a day designated to raise awareness and promote action across the region. Preparations will also be made for the upcoming Arab Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, which will be held in Kuwait, focusing on regional collaboration and policy development.
Dr. Ali Al-Maliki, Assistant Secretary General and head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Arab League, highlighted the urgency of the meeting in his statement. He noted the escalating threats posed by climate change and environmental degradation in the Arab world. These threats include intensified desertification, increased frequency of wildfires, worsening water scarcity, and rising humanitarian crises. Dr. Al-Maliki underscored the need for immediate and collective action to address these challenges effectively and safeguard the region’s future.
The Cairo meeting represents a critical step in advancing regional efforts to strengthen disaster risk reduction strategies, foster cooperation among Arab countries, and address the growing impacts of environmental challenges.