Arab forum on early warning, response to disasters commences in Cairo

CAIRO, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- The First Arab Regional Forum on Early Warning Systems, Disaster Preparedness, and Response kick-started at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday.
Addressing the event, the League's Assistant Secretary-General for International Policy Affairs Ambassador Khaled Manzlawai said the Arab region is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, calling for pursuing fresh preventive methods.
He added that transition from the approach of response to disasters to that of preparedness, prevention and early warning has become an "indispensable strategic necessity", underling that it is essential to exert concerted national, regional and international efforts in this regard.
He noted that the pan-Arab bloc is taking upon itself to back efforts exerted to mitigate the risks of disasters by means of adopting a relevant Arab strategy, create an Arab coordination mechanism and launch specialized programs and initiatives that contribute to promoting Arab countries' preparedness and building integrated regional early warning and preparedness systems.
The Arb League's official commended the forum as a regional platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnership, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation among countries and relevant international and regional organizations to enhance resilience and protect lives through the development of effective early warning and disaster preparedness mechanisms.
The two-day event is jointly organized by Arab League and the regional offices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with other regional and international partners. (end) mm.mt