KUWAIT: Kuwait will host the 6th Arab Regional Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction next February, chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, in cooperation with the United Nations Office.
The official spokesman for the General Fire Force and Director of the Public Relations and Media Department in the force, Brigadier Mohammad Al-Gharib, told KUNA on Thursday that the pivotal forum, which will continue between Feb 9 and 12, will be held with the participation of 22 Arab countries under the slogan ‘Building Resilient Arab Societies: From Understanding to Action’.
Al-Gharib added that the forum will be held in cooperation with the Regional Office for Arab States represented by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the League of Arab States, and will include a diverse group of participants including representatives of Arab governments, civil society organizations, United Nations agencies, international organizations, financial institutions, media, the private sector, academic and research institutions.
He stated that the forum is considered a very important gathering to enhance knowledge of disaster risks, strengthen governance and encourage investments in the field of resilience in the Arab region, and will focus on enhancing preparedness efforts and recovery with the aim of building a safer future for all countries in the region.
He explained that the main objectives of the forum are to assess the tangible progress in implementing the Sendai Framework and the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2030, reaffirm political commitments and identify regional priorities for the next two years.
Al-Gharib said that the forum will also discuss the exchange of knowledge and experiences of participating countries with the aim of ensuring the development of comprehensive solutions and adopting an approach based on disaster risk management.
He pointed out that the forum also aims to enhance Arab capacities to withstand disasters and reduce their risks throughout the Arab world and will adopt a strategy for disaster risk reduction developed in the name of the State of Kuwait and implemented over the next three years by all Arab countries. — KUNA