Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
With an agenda focused on global resilience and a first-of-its-kind awareness event for children, the upcoming World Crisis and Emergency Management Summit 2025 (WCEMS) in Abu Dhabi is set to create a major impact on disaster preparedness across borders.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) is organising the summit that will be held on April 8-9 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The event -which will feature the largest international contingent in the summit's history - comes at a time when "global resilience has become an urgent necessity", said Mariam Yaed Al Qubaisi, Official Spokesperson and Chairperson of the Organising Committee of the WCEMS 2025.
Nations must always be prepared for disasters and emergencies, given the growing challenges the world faces, "from climate change and natural disasters to health and security crises", Al Qubaisi said during a press conference held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
"The summit aims to unify efforts, promote knowledge exchange, and ensure a more efficient and rapid response to both current and future crises," she added.
Thought leaders and decision-makers from around the world are coming together for discussions and workshops, which seek to bolster cross-border cooperation in crisis management. Innovative solutions to growing global challenges will also be brought to the table.
"This edition will focus on global resilience-building, leveraging modern technology, enhancing strategic planning, and developing proactive strategies to tackle crises," Al Qubaisi said.
Alongside the summit, two exhibitions will turn the spotlight on two key factors in tackling crises: Community awareness and technological innovations.
The Generation Readiness Exhibition and the Crisis Management Technologies Exhibition will be held in line with the summit's objectives.
First-of-its-kind Awareness Event for Children
Preparing for emergencies and disasters must involve entire communities - including children.
"The Generation Readiness Exhibition aims to instil a culture of emergency preparedness among children and the youth through interactive programmes that combine education and entertainment," said Salman Ali Al Salman, Official Spokesperson for the WCEMS 2025.
A series of engaging activities are lined up, including family preparedness plans and workshops on emergency response strategies designed for students.
The exhibition will also introduce the youth to the latest smart tools and applications that they can turn to during crisis situations.
"[It offers an] opportunity to participate in emergency simulation scenarios to enhance their readiness and response capabilities in real-life situations," said Al Salman.
Use of AI and Smart Technologies
The other exhibition will delve into how artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies transform emergency response systems.
"The Crisis Management Technologies Exhibition is being held at a time when we are witnessing unprecedented technological transformations and rapid advancements in AI across various critical sectors," Al Salman said.
The event will showcase the latest innovations in emergency response, from AI-powered tools to smart systems that "enhance risk prediction and enable swift, informed decision-making".
"The exhibition aims to highlight the role of modern technology in improving crisis response, including the use of drones for disaster monitoring; AI-driven early warning systems that analyse big data for risk prediction; and smart command and control centres that enable real-time, data-driven decision-making," Al Salman added.
Overall, the WCEMS 2025 affirms "the UAE's leading role in building global partnerships and developing an integrated risk management system founded on innovation and advanced technology", Al Qubaisi said.
"This significant global summit reflects the UAE's continuous efforts, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to support international initiatives aimed at enhancing preparedness and effective crisis response," she said.
