The Chief of Public Security, Lt-General Tariq Al Hassan, inaugurated the 7th Meeting of the Arab Coordination Mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction, held at the Police Officers Club. The event is organised by the General Secretariat of the Arab League, with the participation of experts and representatives from Arab, regional, and international organisations specialised in risk reduction, capacity building, and community resilience.
The Chief affirmed that Bahrain’s hosting of this high-level Arab meeting reflects its leading regional role in supporting disaster risk reduction efforts and promoting preparedness, response, and community resilience within an integrated framework. He noted that these efforts align with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which places human safety and national security as strategic priorities, and with the close follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He highlighted that, under the instructions of His Excellency Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Civil Defence Council, the National Committee for Civil Emergency Management continues to strengthen national readiness, develop early warning systems, and integrate plans with regional and international frameworks. He added that collective Arab cooperation remains the most effective approach to addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change and natural and humanitarian disasters. Bahrain, he said, has translated its national vision into an advanced institutional reality through innovative initiatives, training programmes, and strong regional and international partnerships.
The Chief also underlined Bahrain’s ongoing commitment to enhancing civil protection systems through investment in critical infrastructure, sustainable projects that ensure continuity of essential services, and the adoption of safety and disaster prevention standards. He pointed out that Bahrain continues to manage and develop its National Civil Protection Platform, a central tool for updating risk data and facilitating information exchange among relevant entities to enhance emergency response and coordination.
During the meeting, the Head of the Arab Coordination Mechanism and Representative of the Arab League, praised Bahrain’s leadership role in advancing the mechanism, announcing that the Arab League honoured Bahrain for the efforts and achievements made by the Executive Office of the National Committee for Civil Emergency Management during its chairmanship, which significantly strengthened Arab cooperation in disaster risk reduction.
The Acting Deputy Regional Director of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Dr Raidan Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, highlighted the importance of enhancing regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing to address the region’s increasing disaster risks.
Held from October 14 to 16, the meeting focuses on strengthening joint Arab efforts to build resilient and sustainable societies. Key initiatives include the launch of the Arab Multi-Hazard Early Warning Initiative in cooperation with UNDRR, which aims to link Arab countries within an integrated early warning system covering various natural, technical, and environmental risks. Other initiatives include the creation of an Arab Geospatial Risk Network for real-time data analysis to support decision-makers during crises, the development of an Arab Framework for Sustainable Resilience Financing to integrate “investment in prevention” within national budgets, and the “Arab Resilient Cities” initiative, encouraging municipalities to adopt sustainability and community preparedness standards.
These initiatives reflect the Arab vision for resilience and effective disaster response, aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, and reaffirm Bahrain’s continued leadership and commitment to advancing disaster risk management at both the Arab and regional levels.
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