Arab stakeholder groups strengthen partnerships to advance disaster risk reduction across the Arab region
Recognizing that disaster resilience can only be achieved through inclusive partnerships and collective action, representatives of the Arab stakeholder groups for disaster risk reduction (DRR) convened virtually on 2 July 2026 to strengthen regional collaboration, align priorities with the UNDRR Work Programme 2026–2030, and identify opportunities to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Arab Priority Action Plan 2025–2027.
Organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Arab States, the coordination meeting brought together representatives from the Arab Private Sector Stakeholder Group (ARISE Egypt), the Arab Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG), the Arab Civil Society Major Group, the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Group on Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change and Migration, the Arab Youth Advisory Group, the Media Stakeholder Group, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to review progress since the 2025 Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships, and identify opportunities for coordinated action at regional, national and local levels.
Aligning stakeholder action with the UNDRR Work Programme
Opening the meeting, Sandra Amlang, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States, emphasized that achieving resilience requires coordinated action across governments, academia, civil society, the private sector, youth, media, humanitarian organizations and local communities.
UNDRR presented the priorities of its Regional Work Programme 2026–2030, highlighting opportunities for stakeholder engagement across key thematic areas, including risk knowledge, early warning systems, governance, urban resilience, disaster risk financing, recovery, innovation, communications and private sector engagement.
Participants discussed how each stakeholder group could contribute its comparative strengths to support implementation of the regional work programme while strengthening collaboration across constituencies.
Strengthening the Arab voice through the Global Sendai Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism
A dedicated session introduced participants to the Global Sendai Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM), highlighting how Arab stakeholder groups can strengthen their engagement in global disaster risk reduction processes.
UNDRR outlined the added value of joining the Global SEM, including opportunities to contribute to global policy dialogue, participate in international consultations, share regional good practices, and strengthen partnerships across stakeholder constituencies.
Participants were also encouraged to register their organizations within the Global SEM and actively engage in upcoming global processes and events, ensuring that perspectives and experiences from the Arab region continue to inform international disaster risk reduction discussions.
Advancing voluntary commitments into action
The meeting also introduced the updated process for the Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVCs), encouraging stakeholder groups to review, update and register their commitments in line with the priorities of the UNDRR Work Programme 2026–2030.
UNDRR emphasized that voluntary commitments provide a practical mechanism for organizations to demonstrate measurable contributions, strengthen accountability, showcase impact and support monitoring of progress towards the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
Participants discussed how commitments can evolve from individual initiatives into collaborative regional actions supported by partnerships across stakeholder groups.
Looking ahead
The meeting concluded with discussions on preparations for several upcoming regional milestones, including the Arab Partnership Meeting for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Second Arab Forum on Early Warning and Preparedness, and the regional commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, expanding stakeholder engagement, and mobilizing expertise across the region to support risk-informed development and resilience.
By bringing together diverse stakeholder constituencies, the meeting reinforced the vital role of partnerships, science, innovation, youth engagement, private sector leadership and community action in accelerating implementation of the Sendai Framework across the Arab States. Through stronger regional collaboration and greater engagement in global processes, Arab stakeholders are helping ensure that regional experiences and priorities continue to shape the global disaster risk reduction agenda.