Early Warning Systems Take Center Stage At Arab Forum On Disaster Preparedness And Response
The Arab League convenes the First Arab Regional Forum on Early Warning Systems, Disaster Preparedness, and Response at its Cairo headquarters, bringing together representatives of Arab states, United Nations agencies, and regional and international organisations to examine how the region can improve readiness for climate and weather-related disasters.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is represented by a delegation led by National Center for Meteorology CEO Dr. Ayman Ghulam, reflecting ongoing Saudi engagement with regional efforts that address disaster risk reduction, strengthen early warning systems, and connect scientific expertise with operational planning across Arab countries.
Speaking on behalf of the secretary-general of the Arab League, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the International Political Affairs Sector Ambassador Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Manzlawiy highlights growing climate risks to the region, stating: "The Arab region is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change and the increasing frequency of severe weather phenomena."
Over two days, forum participants examine how to make early warning systems more effective, with sessions on linking alerts to coordinated response, the role of technology and communications, sustainable funding, and capacity building, while also reviewing Arab case studies and identifying regional practices that have delivered practical results.
| Key theme | Main focus |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness of early warning systems | Improving accuracy, coverage, and timely public alerts |
| Warning–response linkage | Ensuring alerts trigger coordinated action on the ground |
| Technology and communications | Using modern tools to reach all community segments |
| Sustainable financing | Securing ongoing resources for systems and training |
| Capacity building | Developing skills in national and regional institutions |
Ambassador Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Manzlawiy notes that Arab states are shifting from a model focused on reacting after disasters towards one centred on preparedness, prevention, and early warning, stressing that this change requires combined efforts from national institutions, regional bodies, and international partners working within shared frameworks.
According to Ambassador Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Manzlawiy, the forum acts as a senior-level Arab platform for exchanging expertise, improving coordination between Arab countries and their partners, and building a common regional approach to comprehensive early warning systems that reach all parts of society, aligned with global efforts such as the United Nations "Early Warnings for All" initiative.
With inputs from SPA
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