Arab countries strengthen disaster risk knowledge and governance through South-South exchange in Libya
Government officials, disaster risk management authorities, United Nations agencies and regional experts from across the Arab region gathered in Tripoli this week for a two-day South-South Sharing Experiences Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction and Governance, reaffirming their collective commitment to strengthening disaster risk governance, improving disaster risk knowledge and advancing resilient development across the region.
Jointly organized by the National Center for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (NCCM in Libya, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) Libya Country Office, the workshop provided a regional platform for exchanging practical experiences and lessons learned on disaster risk reduction, disaster data, early warning systems, preparedness, recovery readiness and institutional coordination. The programme brought together experts and practitioners from Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Somalia and Yemen, demonstrating the growing value of South-South cooperation in addressing the region's shared and interconnected risks.
Strengthening regional cooperation through South-South exchange
Opening the workshop, representatives of the Government of Libya, the United Nations and regional partners emphasized the importance of strengthening national capacities while learning from regional experiences.
Mr. Mohamed Shiekh, Country Director of the World Food Programme in Libya, noted:
“We have all witnessed the catastrophic disaster in Sept 2023 in Derna, precipitated by above normal rainfall and flooding. In addition to loss of lives and assets, these disasters and shocks affect short- and long-term food security, disrupt market access, and degrade dietary nutrition for vulnerable populations.”
The importance of risk governance, early warning systems, response capabilities and implementing DRR actions cannot be overemphasized. Prevention is better than treatment as is said in the medical field. Same is true in DRR. According to UN DRR and FAO, every dollar invested in DRR and early warning (EW) systems can yield in 3-4 savings and in some cases to 7 dollars of benefit.
Libya has excellent policy framework, national institutions and resources to become a leader in DRR and EWS and I congratulate the leadership of the NCCM and NESDB and other national institutions in this regard. In particular, the fourth pillar of the national food security strategy is all about preparedness and response to crisis including food security crisis”
Ms. Ulrika Richardson, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya, highlighted:
“For Libya, disaster risk reduction is not abstract - it is urgent and deeply personal. From floods and wildfires to droughts and sandstorms, Libya faces mounting hazards compounded by climate change and fragility. These risks hit the most vulnerable hardest - women, children, displaced persons, and marginalized communities.
The human security approach at the heart of this Joint Programme reminds us that resilience means ensuring every Libyan can live in safety, dignity, and hope.
This workshop matters for three reasons:
First, because knowledge is power. The South-South model is built on a simple truth: countries facing similar challenges hold the most relevant solutions. Bahrain's National Risk Register, Oman's early warning systems, Somalia's loss databases, Egypt's Sendai reporting - these are roadmaps for action. I urge you to engage, ask questions, and identify what can be adapted for Libya.
Second, because partnership is essential. Disasters do not wait for coordination. They demand we work across sectors and levels of government. The diversity here - from national authorities to mayors - is exactly the whole-of-society approach effective risk governance requires.
Third, because action is what matters. This workshop must translate into stronger capacities, better systems, and concrete plans that protect Libyan communities. The Sendai Framework reminds us that our success is measured not by strategies on paper, but by the safety of the people we serve.
The United Nations is proud to stand with Libya on this journey. We are committed to supporting Libyan institutions - but the leadership and ownership come from you.”
The workshop also highlighted Libya's ongoing efforts to strengthen its national disaster risk management architecture and institutional coordination through the National Center for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management.
"The establishment of the National Center for Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management marked a strategic step in Libya's journey toward building an integrated national risk management system. The Center coordinates efforts among various ministries and government institutions and leads national initiatives regarding preparedness, response, and recovery," said Mr. Al-Fetouri Essa, Director General of the National Center for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management.
In her opening remarks, delivered virtually, Ms. Sandra Amlang, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States, highlighted that the Arab region continues to face increasingly complex and interconnected risks arising from climate change, rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, conflict and displacement.
She stressed that disasters such as Storm Daniel in Libya demonstrated the devastating consequences when extreme hazards intersect with vulnerable communities, exposed infrastructure and gaps in disaster risk governance. At the same time, she underscored that recovery must go beyond rebuilding damaged assets to reduce future risks, strengthen institutions and ensure that infrastructure, services and communities are more resilient to future shocks.
Ms. Amlang reaffirmed UNDRR's commitment to supporting Member States through the implementation of the Sendai Framework by strengthening disaster risk governance, advancing multi-hazard early warning systems, improving disaster risk knowledge and promoting risk-informed development. She also highlighted UNDRR's regional work in supporting countries through the Early Warnings for All initiative, the DELTA Resilience disaster loss and damage platform, national and local disaster risk reduction strategies, recovery readiness, and partnerships with governments, regional organizations, scientific institutions, civil society and the private sector.
"This workshop reflects the true value of South-South cooperation. Countries across the Arab region face many shared hazards, but they also possess valuable expertise, tested practices and practical solutions that can support one another," Ms. Amlang noted.
Building stronger disaster risk knowledge
The workshop opened with discussions on disaster risk knowledge, emphasizing that understanding risk is the foundation of effective disaster risk reduction.
Libya presented progress in developing its National Risk Register, while Bahrain shared its national experience in establishing and operationalizing a comprehensive risk register to support evidence-based decision-making.
Sessions on disaster data systems showcased Algeria's efforts to establish an integrated national disaster data platform and Somalia's experience in strengthening disaster loss and damage databases to inform planning and preparedness. UNDRR introduced the DELTA Resilience Disaster Tracking System, highlighting how standardized disaster loss data can support governments in monitoring risk trends, informing investment decisions and reporting against the Sendai Framework.
Participants also exchanged experiences on multi-hazard risk assessments, including Oman's National Oil Pollution Control Plan and Lebanon's experience in assessing wildfire and flash flood risks. Discussions further explored the importance of the Sendai Framework Monitor, with Egypt presenting its national reporting experience and Algeria demonstrating how disaster data and evidence can strengthen institutional coordination and public policy.
Advancing disaster risk governance
The second day focused on strengthening disaster risk governance through effective institutions, national strategies and whole-of-government approaches.
Libya shared progress on developing its National Disaster Management Strategy, while international and regional experts discussed integrated approaches for aligning disaster risk reduction and climate change strategies.
Country experiences from Algeria, Bahrain and Oman illustrated how national and local disaster risk reduction platforms, institutional coordination mechanisms and the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative can strengthen governance at both national and local levels.
The discussions reinforced that disaster risk reduction cannot remain the responsibility of a single institution. Instead, it requires coordinated engagement across government ministries, local authorities, scientific institutions, the private sector and communities to ensure that disaster risk considerations are integrated into development planning and public investment.
From early warning to anticipatory action
Recognizing that effective early warning systems save lives and protect development gains, participants exchanged practical experiences on strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems and anticipatory action.
Libya presented progress on establishing its national multi-hazard early warning system, while UNDRR provided an overview of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and its implementation across the Arab region.
Country presentations from Egypt, Somalia, Oman and Lebanon highlighted practical approaches to impact-based forecasting, cyclone and tsunami early warning, anticipatory action and proactive disaster preparedness. Together, these experiences demonstrated how investments in risk knowledge, forecasting, communication and preparedness can significantly reduce disaster impacts and strengthen national resilience.
Strengthening recovery readiness
The workshop concluded with discussions on the importance of recovery readiness, emphasizing that countries should establish recovery coordination mechanisms, financing arrangements, damage assessment methodologies and institutional responsibilities before disasters occur.
UNDRR presented practical tools and frameworks for strengthening recovery readiness in post-conflict settings, highlighting the importance of ensuring that recovery processes are risk-informed, inclusive and capable of reducing future vulnerabilities rather than recreating them.
Participants also examined the links between disaster risks and food security, reinforcing the importance of integrated approaches that connect disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Looking ahead
Throughout the three-day workshop, participants emphasized that strengthening disaster resilience requires sustained regional cooperation, stronger institutions and continuous knowledge exchange.
By sharing practical experiences from across the Arab region, the workshop contributed to strengthening Libya's ongoing efforts to enhance disaster risk knowledge, improve governance arrangements, advance multi-hazard early warning systems and build preparedness for resilient recovery.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to continue regional collaboration, strengthen partnerships and translate lessons learned into practical national actions that support implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 and contribute to safer, more resilient societies across the Arab region.