Arab States call for stronger investment in resilience at IDDRR regional commemoration in Manama
Manama, Bahrain, 16 October 2025: Following the conclusion of the Seventh Arab Coordination Mechanism Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (14-16 October), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Arab States (UNDRR ROAS), in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the League of Arab States (LAS), convened the Arab Regional Commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) under the global theme "Fund Resilience, Not Disasters."
The commemoration brought together representatives of 18 Arab Member States, alongside stakeholders from UN agencies, academia, donors, and civil society, to focus regional attention on scaling risk-informed investment and financing for resilience.
The event opened with remarks from the Host Government of Bahrain, followed by the UN Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, Mr. Khaled Al Mekwad, who underscored the importance of rallying partners around investing in prevention before disasters strike. Mr. Mustafa Al-Saadi, on behalf of the LAS, highlighted the imperative of collective action and sustained regional collaboration.
"Financing resilience is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Every dinar, riyal, pound, dirham, lira and dollar invested in prevention saves multiples in response and recovery and strengthens our resilience." Said Raidan Al-Saqqaf, Deputy Chief, UNDRR ROAS.
In his remarks, Al-Saqqaf pointed to the growing complexity of disaster and climate risks such as extreme heat and its impacts on cities, people, and infrastructure. He noted UNDRR's work to develop tools and scientific review mechanisms that help stress-test the resilience of investments. He referenced regional commitments, including the Kuwait Declaration, and signaled intent to advance the Joint Arab Programme to Strengthen Urban Resilience toward safer, more resilient Arab cities.
From commitments to funded action
Two moderated panels examined practical pathways to translate policy commitments into funded, measurable actions:
- Panel One brought together voices from academia, the GCC Secretariat, Morocco's Ministry of Interior and Bahrain's Civil Defence, and the Arab Academy for Science to discuss the role of research and innovation in developing financing and planning models; opportunities for GCC cooperation and potential joint mechanisms to address cross-border risks, integrating DRR in national budgeting frameworks, and turning national commitments into funded plans at national and local levels with private-sector engagement to strengthen public safety.
- Panel Two engaged IFRC, UNESCO, and EU/PPRD Mediterranean partners on humanitarian financing and community resilience including legal and regulatory enablers and reaching the most at-risk groups, education, capacity-building and knowledge as long-term investments underpinning resilience, donor support and innovative instruments, with steps to align climate and DRR finance and shift from short project cycles to long-term financing strategies.
Way Forward:
Financing resilience is a strategic investment that protects lives and development gains. The meeting closed with a call to convert insights into time-bound, resourced actions aligned with the Sendai Framework and Arab regional priorities, carrying momentum into preparations for the upcoming Regional and Global Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction.