Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk management and emergency preparedness, following high-level talks held in Addis Ababa this week.
Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam met with Ali Saeed Al Neyadi, Chairman of the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), during the latter’s official visit to Ethiopia.
The discussions focused on expanding bilateral collaboration in crisis response, disaster preparedness, and resilience-building.
The two sides explored ways to enhance institutional partnerships, improve communication channels, and identify practical areas of cooperation in disaster risk reduction. They also discussed mechanisms for sharing technical expertise, knowledge, and international best practices to strengthen national preparedness and response systems.
The UAE has built internationally recognised capacity in crisis coordination, humanitarian logistics, early warning systems, and rapid emergency response. Ethiopian officials see closer cooperation in these areas as key to reinforcing national preparedness, strengthening institutional capacity, and building resilience against both natural and man-made disasters.
During the meeting, Al Neyadi was briefed on the mandate and ongoing work of Ethiopia’s Disaster Risk Management Commission, including national programmes aimed at improving disaster preparedness and response across the country.
Al Neyadi underscored the importance of international cooperation in advancing emergency management systems, noting that the exchange of expertise with partner countries plays a critical role in building efficient and sustainable institutions. He also commended Ethiopia’s efforts in disaster risk management and called for expanded cooperation between the two countries.
The engagement reflects a broader and steadily growing partnership between Ethiopia and the UAE, marked by increased collaboration in development, investment, and institutional capacity building.
In previous remarks, UAE Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri described Ethiopia as a “highly valued partner,” highlighting a relationship grounded in mutual respect, economic cooperation, and shared interests in regional stability. He also emphasised the importance of partnerships that support long-term resilience and sustainable development across Africa.
