Prof. Jalal and Dr. Jamal Dabbeek Represent An-Najah University at the 6th Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Kuwait
Prof. Jalal Dabbeek, Director of the Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction Center at An-Najah National University, and Dr. Jamal Dabbeek from the Faculty of Engineering participated in the 6th Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Kuwait from February 9–12, 2025. The event was organized by the United Nations Regional Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in collaboration with the League of Arab States and hosted by the State of Kuwait. Held under the theme “Building Resilient Arab Communities: From Understanding to Action,” the platform brought together experts and practitioners to address key issues in disaster risk management.
The platform featured panel discussions, conferences, and specialized workshops covering a wide range of topics related to disaster risk reduction (DRR). These sessions highlighted major achievements and studies from the Arab region and beyond, with a particular focus on the progress made in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2023–2025), the impact of climate change, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Prof. Jalal Dabbeek was a panelist at the “Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Risk Reduction Financing” conference, where he emphasized the critical role of infrastructure resilience and financing for DRR programs across all phases, including pre-disaster preparedness, emergency response, relief, recovery, and reconstruction. He also discussed strategies for strengthening and rehabilitating critical infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, to enhance their resilience against earthquakes.
Dr. Jamal Dabbeek participated in the Urban Lab panel discussion, presenting the “Cities of Tomorrow” program under the title “Towards Resilient Cities: Developing a Decision Support System for Risk-Conscious Urban Planning in Nablus, Palestine.” He outlined efforts to transfer Nablus’ experience to Iraqi cities in collaboration with the UN-Habitat representative in Iraq, with a follow-up Zoom meeting planned for a potential joint project.
Additionally, both scholars engaged in sessions on local governance, the role of academic institutions in DRR, and urban resilience. They held meetings with representatives from UN and Arab organizations, including the Arab Center for Earthquake and Natural Disaster Risk Reduction, to explore potential collaborations and propose a unified assessment of earthquake risks across Arab countries.
This participation underscores An-Najah National University’s commitment to scientific research, sustainable development goals, and strengthening regional and international cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction.
