Arab Regional Forum on Early Warning Systems and Disaster Preparedness Opens in Tunis
Tunis, October 13, 2026, SPA -- The League of Arab States, in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), opened the second Arab Regional Forum on Early Warning Systems and Disaster Preparedness Monday in Tunis, hosted by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) in partnership with several United Nations agencies and regional and international organizations concerned with disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and humanitarian response.
The three-day forum brings together representatives of Arab countries, regional and international organizations, and technical partners. Saudi Arabia is represented by a delegation headed by National Center for Meteorology CEO Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam.
The forum aims to review progress in developing multi-hazard early warning systems across Arab countries, identify priority challenges and gaps, strengthen regional cooperation, and exchange expertise, knowledge, and best practices among Arab countries and technical partners. It also seeks to support the implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative by enhancing integration among the four pillars of early warning systems: disaster risk knowledge; monitoring and forecasting; warning dissemination and communication; and preparedness and response. The forum also aims to strengthen national and local capacities to translate warnings into timely and effective early action to protect lives and livelihoods.
The forum explores the role of technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital tools in improving risk monitoring, forecasting, and warning dissemination, enhancing the participation of local communities and relevant stakeholders, and ensuring that early warning systems reach all segments of society. It also seeks to identify priorities for joint action and the partnerships needed to accelerate progress in early warning, preparedness, and resilience across the Arab region.
-- SPA
