'Gulf Emergency': Enhancing Cooperation with Research Institutions to Improve Readiness and Risk Management

The Director General of the GCC Emergency Management Center, Brigadier Dr. Rashid Al-Mari, emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Center and Gulf research institutions, and of leveraging scientific and technical expertise to support efforts aimed at enhancing readiness and improving responses to various risks.

Speaking to KUNA after receiving the Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan, at the Center’s headquarters, Al-Mari stated that the Center serves as a link to enhance coordination and the exchange of information and expertise among GCC member states during emergencies and crises, thereby contributing to faster response times, higher levels of readiness, and improved capacity to handle emergency situations through shared operational mechanisms.

He added that the Center works to monitor and track potential risks and threats, and to exchange relevant data and information with competent authorities in GCC member states, in addition to supporting efforts to develop early warning systems and strengthen integration among agencies responsible for emergency and crisis management.

Al-Mari highlighted the importance of cooperation with scientific and research institutions in GCC countries, and of utilizing their expertise and capabilities to develop tools for monitoring, analyzing, and predicting risks, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the joint GCC response system.

He noted that during the meeting, an agreement was reached on a cooperation mechanism between the GCC Emergency Management Center and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, aimed at strengthening the exchange of expertise and information, and leveraging the scientific, research, and technical capacities of both parties to develop joint work areas related to risk monitoring, prediction, and enhancing readiness, preparedness, and emergency response levels.

During the visit, Al-Humaidan and the accompanying delegation were briefed on the Center’s tasks and mandates, the operational mechanisms of the central operations room, and the monitoring, early warning, and follow-up systems, as well as coordination mechanisms and information-sharing procedures among competent authorities in the GCC member states in the fields of emergencies, crises, and health risks.