Saudi Arabia

The League of Arab States (LAS) and UNISDR move one step closer to a plan of action on disaster risk reduction for the Arab region. The action plan is expected to be endorsed at the first-ever Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab region planned for 2012.

UNISDR, the UN's disaster risk reduction office, in Egypt joined events around the world to celebrate the International Day for Disaster Reduction, 13 October, with the theme of recognizing the role of children and young people as partners in disaster risk reduction.

UNISDR, UNHABITAT and UNDP Kuwait organized a workshop on "Advancing disaster risk reduction and urban strategy in the Gulf States" in collaboration with the Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI) and the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP).

The first comprehensive training on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab region gathered thirty leading specialists to discuss regional and global disaster risk trends. Organized by the UNDP Regional Centre for Arab States, it provided valuable insight on disaster risk assessment, mitigation and preparedness.

The League of Arab States developed the Arab Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction 2020 (ASDRR), which was adopted by the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment in its 22nd session, held in Cairo on 19 December 2010.

This Natural Disaster Risk Reduction Educational Kit (NDRR) in Arabic has been developed with the view to enhancing the coping capabilities of disaster prone communities in the Arab States region as well as the dissemination of the technical knowledge in

UNISDR Regional Office for Arab States are seeking good examples on urban risk reduction activities in the Arab region for the Global Biennial Campaign 2010 - 2011 "Resilient Cities". Globally, the aim is to have as many cities commited to meet the criteria for more resilient cities. This checklist builds on the priorities adopted in the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

The Regional Office for Arab States of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat (UNISDR), The World Bank, The League of Arab States and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport of the League of Arab States, are co-organizing a Regional Workshop on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: "Challenges and Future Actions", which will take place in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt from 21-23 November 2009.

UNISDR, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery of the World Bank, UNDP Syria and the Syrian Ministry for Local Administration convened a regional workshop on Urban Risk Reduction in Damascus on 4-5 November 2009. More than forty participants representing local authorities, researchers, academic experts, international and regional organizations have gathered to discuss regional priorities and challenges with respect to urban risk reduction as well as key actions to be undertaken regionally, nationally and locally to build safer cities and increase resilience to disasters. View full story