UAE: Over 1.5 billion will be affected by disasters by 2030, top official warns
'Waiting is not a luxury - and luxury does not come to those who wait, but to those who act,' said Saif Al Dhaheri, Director of the National Operations Centre at the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA). Al Dhaheri was speaking during the World Crisis and Management Summit (WCEMS) at the UAE capital on Tuesday.
As the frequency and intensity of global threats grow, technology is expected to play an increasingly vital role in mitigating impact and enhancing preparedness. Al Dhaheri said that by 2030, 'seventy per cent of crisis and disaster leadership decisions will be supported by artificial intelligence.'
By 2050, 70 per cent of the world's population will be living in cities threatened by climate-related disasters, while autonomous and unmanned aircraft for disaster response are projected to increase twentyfold by 2028, he added. By 2040, he said 90 per cent of the global population will live within range of a 'real-time risk detection network', highlighting a dramatic shift from reactive to anticipatory crisis management.
Looking back at the origins of catastrophic events, Al Dhaheri said disasters often begin subtly yet the cost of inaction can be global. 'Every major crisis began as a small dot, barely visible to the naked eye… the issue is not the size of the dot, but in ignoring it until it grows into a sweeping, cross-border global crisis.'
He cited the Black Plague in the Middle Ages, a time when humanity lacked the tools to respond effectively to health emergencies. 'There were no early warning systems, no public health institutions, and no emergency plans - only fear, helplessness, and death.' Despite the devastation, the catastrophe marked a turning point in human consciousness. 'Societies realised that survival does not come from chaos, but from planning, science, and preparedness.'
Today, the world possesses knowledge, data, and advanced tools to detect and respond to crises, but only if nations act decisively and collaboratively. 'We are the generation carrying an agenda from the past and a responsibility to build safety for the future,' Al Dhaheri said, urging swift, strategic, science-based planning. He stressed that resilience cannot be achieved in isolation, and that global safety depends on strong international partnerships. 'Countries around the world hold vast reserves of knowledge, capabilities, and resources to reduce and prevent future shocks,' he concluded, 'it is our shared destiny that drives us to focus on discovering our full capacities and to shape a future built on cooperation and capability.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Al Etihad
EAD showcases Abu Dhabi's marine conservation leadership at UN sustainable development forum
22 July 2025 13:08 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has showcased Abu Dhabi's global leadership in marine conservation and sustainability at the 2025 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), as part of the UAE's official delegation. Held at the UN headquarters in New York from July 14-23, the HLPF is a central platform for reviewing the progress of the 2030 collaboration with the UAE Government Experience Exchange Office (GEEO), and the UAE SDG Secretariat, Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD and Vice Chair of the Global Council on SDG14, participated in a series of high-level sessions advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on SDG 14: Life Below Water. Her participation reflects the UAE's commitment in accelerating the 2030 SDGs and its role in building global consensus on sustainable development to enhance global stability and Excellency Dr Al Dhaheri attended the official opening of the UAE exhibition, which spotlighted the country's progress across priority SDGs. She presented Abu Dhabi's contributions in marine habitat restoration and environmental innovation, including its leadership in global platforms such as the Mangrove Alliance for Climate and the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress taking place in Abu Dhabi in October the official SDG14 plenary session, Her Excellency Dr Al Dhaheri delivered a keynote statement, outlining Abu Dhabi's transformative achievements in marine conservation, blue carbon innovation, and sustainable fisheries Excellency said: 'In the UAE, we have made SDG14 a national priority – a commitment grounded in science, backed by policy, and enabled by finance. Abu Dhabi serves as a prime example of what's possible. We are restoring critical blue carbon ecosystems, from mangroves to seagrass meadows, and we've launched the world's largest coral rehabilitation initiative, targeting over four million coral colonies by 2030.'Dr Al Dhaheri also highlighted Abu Dhabi's marine biodiversity efforts, including safeguarding the world's second-largest dugong population of 3,500 individuals, monitoring over 7,900 sea turtles, and deploying environmental DNA and AI-powered tools to map species health. She also highlighted the emirate's success in raising the Sustainable Exploitation Index from 8.9 per cent in 2018 to 97.4 per cent by the end of 2024 – a result of data-driven fisheries management and policy the UAE-led ministerial roundtable, Scaling What Works, she joined global leaders to showcase tested SDG interventions. During the session, His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Chairman of the UAE National Committee on SDGs and Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, launched the 2025 edition of the SDGs 2045 Excellency said: 'The UAE is championing a forward-looking vision through the proposed SDGs 2045, reflecting our commitment to long-term sustainable development. Aligned with the UN's Pact for the Future, the framework highlights the UAE as a co-creator of innovative solutions to global challenges. "Through platforms like the HLPF and the World Government Summit's SDGs in Action Forum, the UAE continues to convene international thought leaders to shape inclusive, resilient, and adaptable development pathways.' During the Rapid-Fire Solutions Showcase roundtable, Her Excellency Dr Al Dhaheri expanded on Abu Dhabi's integrated approach to marine sustainability. She said: 'Restoring our oceans is about more than science or finance. It's about political will, and Abu Dhabi's experience demonstrates what can be achieved through local leadership, regulatory courage, and long-term investment. To truly scale what works, we must fund what works and replicate it through inclusive global partnerships that cross borders, sectors, and generations.'Her Excellency chaired the SDG14 Ministerial Roundtable during the GEEP Global Retreat, hosted at the UAE Mission to the UN. His Excellency Lootah delivered the keynote address, reinforcing the UAE's role in global session focused on the theme Sustainable Environment, bringing together high-level representatives from partner countries, UN agencies, and academic institutions. In her opening remarks, Her Excellency Dr Al Dhaheri stressed the need for international collaboration and inclusive marine governance to tackle the challenges facing the world's said: 'While SDG14 remains one of the most underachieved global goals, we've seen powerful examples that prove progress is possible when science, policy and partnerships align. She also presented key findings from Abu Dhabi's 2022 Jaywun Expedition, which mapped microplastic presence across 25 countries and eight marine ecosystems. She also highlighted data from EAD's Fisheries Resource Assessment Surveys and genomic research on key commercial Excellency concluded by citing success stories including the rehabilitation of 4 million coral colonies and the return of rare fish species like the white-spotted grouper, reinforcing the role of science and community engagement in building resilient marine said: 'Abu Dhabi's experience offers a blueprint, demonstrating that reversing decades of marine degradation is possible with evidence-based policies, inclusive regulation and shared accountability. Let us act with the urgency our oceans demand. Abu Dhabi is ready to lead, collaborate, and inspire a new era of ocean recovery – because when the ocean thrives, so does life.'Dr Al Dhaheri also participated in bilateral meetings, joining fellow delegates at the UAE Cultural Night, and engaging with representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to explore collaborative action on sustainable food systems and biodiversity, and with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to discuss urban environmental resilience and pollution HLPF 2025 concluded with a renewed commitment to accelerate SDGs before 2030, reaffirming EAD's role in global environmental leadership and continued commitment toward advancing SDG14 through knowledge exchange, sustainable finance and marine innovation. As the UAE prepares to host the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi later this year, EAD's presence at HLPF 2025 marks a critical milestone in positioning the emirate as a global hub for environmental leadership, nature-based solutions, and sustainability diplomacy.
Khaleej Times
08-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Over 1.5 billion will be affected by disasters by 2030, top official warns
More than 1.5 billion people will be affected by disasters by the year 2030, a top UAE crisis management official has warned, calling on global stakeholders to act urgently and collectively before the world reaches a tipping point. 'Waiting is not a luxury - and luxury does not come to those who wait, but to those who act,' said Saif Al Dhaheri, Director of the National Operations Centre at the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA). Al Dhaheri was speaking during the World Crisis and Management Summit (WCEMS) at the UAE capital on Tuesday. As the frequency and intensity of global threats grow, technology is expected to play an increasingly vital role in mitigating impact and enhancing preparedness. Al Dhaheri said that by 2030, 'seventy per cent of crisis and disaster leadership decisions will be supported by artificial intelligence.' By 2050, 70 per cent of the world's population will be living in cities threatened by climate-related disasters, while autonomous and unmanned aircraft for disaster response are projected to increase twentyfold by 2028, he added. By 2040, he said 90 per cent of the global population will live within range of a 'real-time risk detection network', highlighting a dramatic shift from reactive to anticipatory crisis management. Looking back at the origins of catastrophic events, Al Dhaheri said disasters often begin subtly yet the cost of inaction can be global. 'Every major crisis began as a small dot, barely visible to the naked eye… the issue is not the size of the dot, but in ignoring it until it grows into a sweeping, cross-border global crisis.' He cited the Black Plague in the Middle Ages, a time when humanity lacked the tools to respond effectively to health emergencies. 'There were no early warning systems, no public health institutions, and no emergency plans - only fear, helplessness, and death.' Despite the devastation, the catastrophe marked a turning point in human consciousness. 'Societies realised that survival does not come from chaos, but from planning, science, and preparedness.' Today, the world possesses knowledge, data, and advanced tools to detect and respond to crises, but only if nations act decisively and collaboratively. 'We are the generation carrying an agenda from the past and a responsibility to build safety for the future,' Al Dhaheri said, urging swift, strategic, science-based planning. He stressed that resilience cannot be achieved in isolation, and that global safety depends on strong international partnerships. 'Countries around the world hold vast reserves of knowledge, capabilities, and resources to reduce and prevent future shocks,' he concluded, 'it is our shared destiny that drives us to focus on discovering our full capacities and to shape a future built on cooperation and capability.'
Dubai Eye
08-01-2025
- Dubai Eye
UAE partially lifts recreational drone ban, Dubai restrictions remain
Drones can now be flown by individuals in six of the seven emirates of the UAE after the ban was partly lifted, the Ministry of Interior has announced It remains in place in Dubai, however, as the Ministry communication does not cover the emirate which falls under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. In a post on X, the Ministry of Interior wrote, "UAE Lifts Conditional Ban on Drone Use by Individuals The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, and relevant entities, has announced that the use of drones by individuals will be permitted starting January 7, 2025, under specific conditions to ensure safety and community protection. "Details and requirements are available through the UAE Drones app and the official website. The Unified National Drone Platform facilitates registration and operations, aiming to enhance quality of life and achieve the "We the UAE 2031" vision." الإمارات ترفع الحظر المشروط على استخدام الأفراد للطائرات بدون طيار (الدرونز) أعلنت وزارة الداخلية، بالتنسيق مع الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني والهيئة الوطنية لإدارة الطوارئ والأزمات والكوارث والجهات المعنية، أن استخدام الطائرات بدون طيار (الدرونز) للأفراد بات متاحًا ابتداءً من 7… — وزارة الداخلية (@moiuae) January 7, 2025 Dubai Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the ban on individual recreational drone use still remains in place, but said they are reviewing the situation. It wrote on social media platform X, "To ensure the safety of Dubai's airspace, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority would like to announce that the use of drones for recreational purposes is under review and remains subject to the applicable laws and regulations in Dubai. Stay tuned for further updates. Thank you for your cooperation in supporting our shared goal of protecting Dubai airspace." لضمان سلامة المجال الجوي في دبي، تود هيئة دبي للطيران المدني أن تنوه بأن استخدام الطائرات بدون طيار للأغراض الترفيهية قيد المراجعة، وهي تخضع للقوانين والتشريعات السارية في إمارة دبي. تابعونا لمزيد من التحديثات. شاكرين لكم تعاونكم في دعم هدفنا المشترك لحماية أجواء إمارة دبي.… — Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (@DcaaDubai) January 8, 2025 The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced the launch of the Unified National Platform for Drones to register and regulate drone operations. In a step towards achieving national strategic goals aimed at enhancing quality of life, #NCEMA announces the unified national platform for drones, with the aim of regulating the use of drones, following the announcement of lifting the conditional ban on their use by individuals. — NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) January 7, 2025 Full guidelines and requirements are available through the UAE Drones app and the official government website.
