Wednesday, February 27, 2019
6the Crisis and Emergency Management Conference to Keep Focus on AI, Taps Global Experiences to Reduce Risk
Organized by NCEMA under the patronage of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, from 11-12 March 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
6the Crisis and Emergency Management Conference to Keep Focus on AI, Taps Global Experiences to Reduce Risk
The 6th Crisis and Emergency Management Conference (CEMC 2019), being held by the UAE National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, (NCEMA) from 11-12 March 2019 at St. Regis Resort, Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, is set to explore issues and topics crucial for the future of crisis and disaster management, namely artificial intelligence (AI), policies and frameworks designed to reduce disasters, as well as the best ways to benefit from global experiences in recovering from disasters and risks.
H.E. Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Hosani, Director-General of NCEMA, said the first day of the event, held around the theme “Future Foresight of Emergencies and Crises: Capabilities and Challenges”, will keep the focus on the future of AI technology and explore Singapore’s experience in building smart cities and protection from crises as well as how to best employ this technology to counter and predict crises, enhance preparedness to manage major events. The gathering will also explore Italy’s experience and the lessons learned from Expo Milan 2015 to forecast challenges and solutions as part of the UAE’s preparations to host Expo 2020 Dubai. Ways of ensuring smooth flow of pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage season will also be on the table on the first day of the event.
Al Hosani added that discussions on the second day will be focused on various policies and frameworks designed to reduce risks. These include the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, governance in emergency and crisis management systems, frameworks for natural disaster and emergency managements, he noted, adding that as part of discussions, the USA’s experience in recovering from Hurricane Harvey, Rwanda's experience in recovering from the consequences of destructive civil wars as well as Oman’s experience in recovering from Cyclone Mekunu.
He explained that over two days of the conference, workshops will revolve around critical topics in the emergency, crisis and disaster management. According to him, on the first day, workshops will be held to tackle the roles individuals can play in emergency-responses such as the UAE’s National Volunteer Program for Emergencies, Crises and Disasters, foresee the unpredictable in organizational response to unpredictable threats. Achievements made by Arab states in implementing the Sendai Framework and countering biological, radioactive and nuclear emergencies, Dr. Al Hosani said.
Similar workshops will tackle vital issues including management of major events such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as well as response to the national cybersecurity crises and the national early warning systems.
Dr. Al Hosani emphasized that the discussion of these topics at the international event aim at enhancing crisis, disaster and emergency management and resilience in the UAE, and the wider Gulf and Middle East and beyond. This, he said, can be achieved through enabling the participants’ high exposure to, and interaction with global experiences and experts, especially regarding coordination of action and crisis management, and promoting awareness of the need for a fully integrated perception of all that has to do with crisis, disaster and emergency management.
He also noted the importance of raising awareness of procedures put in place to counter potential emergencies, promoting knowledge of the best methods of emergency management as well as deepen experience in managing emergencies and crises at the global level.
“The participation of elite officials, experts, academics and experts involved in discussing vital issues to foresee the future of emergency and crisis management, provides an ideal opportunity to shape new ideas for explore the outlook for future advanced methods to counter disasters and reduce their consequences, to minimize both human and material loss,” Dr. Al Hosani said.
He further emphasized that through organizing global high-profile conferences on crisis, disaster and emergency management, the NCEMA seeks to further enhance its capabilities and capacity to counter emergencies, disasters and crises by sharing experiences and being aware of the best relevant global practices and technologies.
Choosing the theme “Future Foresight of Emergencies and Crises: Capabilities and Challenges” for the sixth edition of the event was driven by NCEMA’s full awareness of the critical importance of cooperation and teamwork among states for building a new future for crisis, disaster and emergency management while facing increasing challenges. The aim, he explained, is to lay solid foundations for a risk and crisis-free world in the hope of achieving sustainable development centered around protection of life and gains.
Dr. Al Hosani added: “The exploration of the outlook for crisis and emergency management at NCEMA’s 6th Crisis and Emergency Management Conference emanates from the organization’s full awareness of the crucial importance of cooperation and teamwork among involved states for building a new future for crisis, disaster and emergency management at times of increasing challenges as it seeks to safeguard the UAE’s achievements and achieve sustainable development for communities and states.”
Dr. Al Hosani further underlined the importance of sound exploration of the future outlook while also bracing for further capacity-building, development of plans and required executive action to counter various challenges and risks, including non-traditional risks and accelerating technological developments and shifts.
Launched in 2008, the Crisis and Emergency Management Conference became the first and most high-profile industry event in the Middle East and succeeded in attracting significant attention in the region and beyond by bringing together high-profile figures from Arab and other countries and high-caliber experts and strategists from across the world.