Top experts present international emergency management perspectives at first edition of CEMC

A galaxy of top speakers including Lord Alan West, Parliamentary, Under Secretary of State at the UK Home Office, Colonel Azhar Al Kindi, Director Executive Office of the National Committee for Civil Defense of the Royal Oman Police, Lt. Gen Nadeem Ahmed, Deputy Chairman, ERRA (Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority of Pakistan), Khalid Al Harbi, Regional Oil Spill Coordinator for Arabian Gulf for Saudi Aramco and Tarique Ghaffur, Assistant Commissioner and Head of Central Operations & Olympic Security Coordinator, UK Metropolitan Police were among the experts who addressed the inaugural edition of the CEMC that began today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Over 300 delegates representing 15 countries are attending the event. The CEMC is a pioneering initiative of the UAE's National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).

In his welcome address at the CEMC, Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithy, General Manager of NCEMA said that the CEMC was aimed at raising awareness and knowledge in the region on the best methods to manage crisis situations via coordinated efforts by agencies and governments. He thanked the UAE's leadership for their support to NCEMA and said that the creation of NCEMA highlighted the fact that the UAE was one of the first countries in the region to attach due importance to crisis and emergency management.

In his session on Counter Terrorism and Security in the UK, Lord Alan West Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Home Office, said that the world today was built around "just-in-time" management where even a slight delay in the process by which products and services are delivered to customers and ordinary citizens by corporations and governments can cause widespread disruption. He noted that the impact of terrorist activities aimed at causing mayhem with a region's ecology had emerged only recently as one of the key topics under study and needed immediate attention from security experts.

Richard Clarke, currently Chairman of Good Harbour in the US, presented "12 Lessons in Crisis Management", drawing on his practical experience as a senior advisor to the Pentagon and the US State Department. Clarke, who previously served the last three US Presidents as a senior Whitehouse advisor, said that it was crucial that a nation's leadership is trained in advance to handle crisis situations.

Colonel Azhar Al Kindi, Director Executive Office of the National Committee for Civil Defense of the Royal Oman Police presented the Omani experience in building national infrastructure in response to national disasters. He highlighted emergency measures that were taken by Oman in gearing up for as well as in handling the aftermath of hurricane Gonu.

The CEMC concludes tomorrow with the UAE's Dr. Saleh Mousa Al Tae'e, Secretary General of the UAE Red Crescent speaking on "Disaster Preparedness". Rear Admiral Thomas Atkin, Commander of the Deployable Operations Group - US Coast Guard will address a session on Hurricane Katrina - the Aftermath, whereas Dag Nielsen, Director Ericsson Response will speak on "Re-establishment of mobile networks after a disaster". Dean Monterey, Director Emergency Management Solutions, EmerGeo Solutions, will discuss the role of technology in emergency management while Randa Fouad, President of the Arab Media Forum for Environment and Development will address a session titled "Development Communication & Crisis Management". Mark Camillo, formerly Deputy Assistant Director of the US Secret Service who currently serves as Corporation Director, of Lockheed Martin in the US will discuss the link between Preparedness and Crisis Response.

CEMC Abu Dhabi is organized by Reed Exhibitions Middle East on behalf of NCEMA. The platinum sponsors of CEMC are Etisalat, Sorouh Real Estate, Al Qudra Holding, First Gulf Bank and Al Foah Palm Sector Development Company. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank is the main registration sponsor while Aldar Properties is the sponsor of the CEMC gala dinner for speakers, special invitees and conference delegates that will be held at the Emirates Palace this evening.