• H.E. Ali Saeed Al Neyadi: Resilience is not built during crises but during times of stability.
• Mariam Yaed Al Qubaisi: Collaboration is the true guarantee for sustainability.
• Key summit recommendations focus on international cooperation, AI and technology, community empowerment, crisis leadership, and adaptive economy.
• Global calls to unify efforts and enhance readiness amid uncertainty and future disruptions.
• WCEMS sees signing of MoUs aimed at strengthening collaboration
• Crisis Management Technologies Exhibition achieves a Guinness World Record for the UAE.
• Salman Ali Al Salman: Generation Readiness Exhibition open to the public until 10 April.
• Tech and educational platforms reinforce the UAE’s global leadership in innovation and impact.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10 April 2025: The World Crisis and Emergency Management Summit (WCEMS) 2025 concluded yesterday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), marking a milestone of global consensus on the need to accelerate the transition toward more integrated and innovative emergency response systems. Organised by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, the two-day summit was held under the theme “Together Towards Building Global Resilience” with broad international participation.

H.E. Ali Saeed Al Neyadi, Chairman of NCEMA, stated that WCEMS 2025 has served as a strategic milestone that further established the UAE as a leading global model in future foresight and the development of national and international integrated crisis management systems.

He noted: “This summit, through its high-level global participation and actionable recommendations, has reaffirmed that the response to complex global risks is not a national responsibility alone, but a collective one. It requires building bridges of cooperation, strengthening institutional capabilities, and investing in future-focused tools. Resilience is not limited to security or technology; it also includes investing in people, embracing flexible policies, and cultivating a culture of proactive and professional crisis engagement”.

“Preparedness is not built in times of crisis but forged during stability. At NCEMA, we remain committed to working closely with our partners to develop an integrated readiness system that supports community safety and sustainable development,” concluded H.E. Al Neyadi.

Key Addresses on Day Two

Day two of the summit featured keynote speeches including one by H.E. Vadim Sinyavsky, Belarusian Minister for Emergency Situations, titled “Anticipating the Unexpected: Navigating Strategic Ambiguity,” and another by Li De Wu, Deputy Director of the Command Centre at China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, titled “Strategic Leadership: Enhancing National Resilience.”

Main Themes of Day Two

Managing Uncertainty: Building Resilience in a Changing World

The sessions under this theme opened with remarks by H.E. Hamad Saif Al Kaabi, Director of the Hazardous Materials Incidents Department at NCEMA, who emphasised the importance of strategic thinking and proactive readiness in the face of global volatility. He was followed by a keynote from H.E. Anton Andreevich Gerasimov, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies, and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, who highlighted international cooperation as a key mechanism for coordinated crisis response.

Other sessions explored AI-driven crisis communications by strategic communication expert Filip Bormans, and advanced data solutions for emergency decision-making presented by Martin Yates, Government Technology Advisor at Presight.

Adaptive Economy: New Models for Financial Resilience

Sessions under this theme addressed how flexible economies can recover and thrive amid crises. Loretta Hieber Girardet from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction led the track with a keynote on risk-conscious investment. Further sessions covered risk-adjusted economic planning, inclusive development strategies by Dag Dieter, and economic diversification approaches by H.E. Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. A joint panel closed the track, stressing international cooperation to enhance economic resilience.

Closing Remarks & Key Recommendations

In her closing remarks, Mariam Yaed Al Qubaisi, Official Spokesperson of WCEMS 2025, stated: “This summit reflects the UAE’s steadfast commitment to collaborative global action. When vision is combined with commitment, challenges transform into opportunities. The UAE will continue investing in smart infrastructure and empowered communities to support a globally integrated emergency response system”.

Al Qubaisi announced the release of the WCEMS 2025 Final Report, a roadmap that captures the summit’s outcomes and serves as a guiding light for future strategies. “This report is a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to shape a safer world,” she added.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participating delegations, speakers, and experts who shared their insights, experiences, and recommendations. Our sincere thanks also go to all partners, sponsors, exhibitors, media representatives, and everyone who contributed to the success of this global event. We look forward to welcoming you at the next edition of the Summit, where we will have taken further strides towards a world that is more prepared, more united, and more secure. Together, towards building global resilience,” concluded Al Qubaisi.

WCEMS 2025 Recommendations:

1. Strengthening International Cooperation
   • Develop unified international emergency protocols.
   • Expand cross-border training programmes.
   • Foster public-private partnerships for resource sharing.
2. Empowering Communities
3. Integrate community preparedness programmes into national policy.
4. Strengthen local response networks.
5. Ensure inclusive crisis communication strategies.
6. Expand AI-based early warning systems.
7. Deploy AI to combat misinformation during crises.
8. Develop integrated AI-powered crisis management platforms.
9. Embed leadership training in emergency institutions.
10. Promote adaptive, data-driven leadership models.
11. Apply self-assessment tools for crisis leaders.
12. Incorporate risk-aware policies into national planning.
13. Establish emergency budget frameworks.
14. Expand innovative humanitarian financing tools.
15. Leveraging AI & Technology
16. Crisis Leadership & Decision-Making
17. Building Economic Resilience

Signing of MoUs to Strengthen Collaboration

As part of the summit’s activities, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to promote cooperation and enhance joint efforts in emergency and crisis management.

NCEMA signed a cooperation agreement with PureHealth Group to reinforce strategic partnership between the two parties in the fields of medical emergency response, crisis and disaster preparedness. The MoU aims to advance the national healthcare system through cutting-edge digital solutions and technologies, develop joint specialised training programmes, facilitate the exchange of scientific research and expertise, and establish business continuity plans, all of which contribute to bolstering the UAE’s national medical emergency system in line with global best practices.

In a separate agreement, NCEMA signed MoU with the Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM) to strengthen collaboration in the field of emergency, crisis, and disaster management.

The MoU outlines joint efforts to design and deliver specialised academic and training programmes, promote collaborative scientific research, and explore innovative applications of digital transformation and artificial intelligence. The partnership also includes co-hosting conferences and forums to foster knowledge exchange and highlight global best practices in this critical domain.

This strategic collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building national capabilities and enhancing resilience in the face of emergencies and disasters.

Expanding its international cooperation framework, NCEMA also signed a MoU with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, aimed at enhancing the exchange of expertise and information in disaster risk reduction and crisis response. The agreement includes scientific research cooperation, technical support, collaboration in communications and prevention, expansion of volunteer efforts, and joint assistance in mitigating the effects of natural and human-induced disasters.

Exhibitions Reinforce UAE’s Global Role

A Guinness World Record for the UAE

The Crisis Management Technologies Exhibition marked a new global milestone for the UAE, entering the Guinness World Records for showcasing the largest transparent interactive screen in the world, spanning 12.567 square metres. This cutting-edge achievement was made possible through the efforts of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

The Guinness World Records Official Certificate was presented to H.E. Ali Rashid Al Neyadi, Director General of NCEMA by Hanane Spiers, Official Adjudicator, MENA Region.

On the occasion, H.E. Ali Saeed Al Neyadi, said: “We have learned from our wise leadership to always strive for number one, to shape the future with our own hands, making the UAE a model for others to follow. We are proud to dedicate this achievement to our leadership, to the people of the UAE, and to everyone who calls this country home. This milestone reflects NCEMA’s commitment to deploying the most advanced technologies and forward-thinking innovations to elevate emergency and crisis management ecosystem, drive smart preparedness, and foster public engagement, ultimately supporting societal readiness in the face of any future challenges”.

The transparent interactive screen features smart glass technology powered by advanced artificial intelligence, offering a holographic display with motion-sensing capabilities that enable visitors to interact through hand gestures, creating an immersive and truly unique experience.

Generation Readiness Exhibition Open Through 10 April

The 'Generation Readiness Exhibition' continued into its second day, drawing significant engagement from visitors, particularly school and university students. The exhibition features the participation of numerous academic institutions and entities specialising in emergency, crisis, and disaster management, aiming to enrich the educational experience through three main zones focused on earthquakes, pandemics, and hazardous materials. As a comprehensive educational platform, the exhibition plays a key role in building an informed generation and equipping them to face the future through proactive planning and preparedness.

Salman Ali Al Salman, Official Spokesperson for the co-located exhibitions of WCEMS, stated that the Generation Readiness Exhibition enhances awareness of the national emergency and crisis management system and brings together leading strategic partners in the field. He also announced that the exhibition will remain open for an additional day following the conclusion of the Summit (until 10 April), to enable broader community participation and to maximise the impact of its informative experiences and guidance. He added that the exhibition includes interactive workshops and innovative activities such as simulation scenarios of earthquakes, health emergencies, and hazardous materials to promote preparedness awareness. The initiative also seeks to engage parents and the wider community in fostering a safe and resilient society.

Specialised Workshops Enhance Practical Skills

On the second day of the summit, four specialised workshops were held to provide participants with a practical platform to enhance their skills and explore the latest trends and technologies in crisis and emergency management.

The workshops began with a session titled “Applications and Artificial Intelligence in Risk Management,” presented by Engineer Mohammed Alsuwaidi , with participation from Prashanth Reddy Marpu from G42. The session showcased the role of artificial intelligence in risk forecasting and improving decision-making accuracy through big data analytics and the development of intelligent response models that boost the speed and efficiency in managing crises.

This was followed by the workshop “Secrets of UAE Readiness,” delivered by Khalifa Baqer and Peter Zemsky from the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development. It focused on the institutional and leadership factors that have contributed to establishing a pioneering national readiness system, highlighting innovative models in planning and decision-making under emergency conditions.

Dr. Perveen Kumar Maghelal from Rabdan Academy then presented “Emerging Technologies in Emergency Management,” which examined how modern technologies enhance response capabilities and mitigate the impacts of disasters.

The series concluded with a workshop titled “Enhancing Strategic Partnerships in Supporting Crisis and Emergency Management,” delivered by Engineer Abdulaziz Zurub from Abu Dhabi Ports, which explored the role of strategic partnerships in ensuring sustainability and boosting the efficiency of crisis response.

A Message from the UAE to the World

In closing, NCEMA called on all global emergency, crisis, and disaster management stakeholders to continue joint action and build on WCEMS 2025 outcomes through unified initiatives that enhance global readiness.