Cairo hosted, on 19–20 November 2025, a semi-regional workshop organized by the Regional Office for Arab States of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), addressing a highly significant theme on “Capacity Building on Disaster Risk Reduction Financing.” The Arab Office for Youth and Environment participated actively in the workshop with an engaged delegation. The event brought together more than 25 participants from various Arab countries, representing national focal points for the Sendai Framework, ministries of finance, the insurance sector, scientific research institutions and academic bodies.

The participation of the Arab Office came within the framework of its commitment to strengthening the capacities of civil society and youth institutions in addressing issues related to climate change, risks and disasters, particularly with regard to the mechanisms for financing disaster risk reduction efforts and directing resources toward sustainable solutions that protect the most vulnerable communities.

Over the course of two days, the workshop sessions discussed the latest global and regional trends in designing sustainable national systems for disaster risk reduction financing. Participants also exchanged experiences on the various financial instruments that can support these systems, including government financing, public-private partnerships, insurance mechanisms and international risk-based financing.

The interactive presentations delivered during the workshop focused on policy options available to decision-makers in Arab countries for establishing effective financing frameworks. They also explored ways to mobilize resources from multiple sources, while identifying a set of challenges facing Arab countries in scaling up financing for risk reduction measures and enhancing resilience.

Mr. Haitham Abdelazim, Projects Manager at the Arab Office for Youth and Environment, contributed to the discussions through his interventions by highlighting the role of youth and community-based organizations in supporting disaster risk reduction plans and the importance of integrating them into planning, financing and implementation processes as key partners in achieving sustainable development.

The workshop concluded with an emphasis on the need to strengthen regional cooperation among Arab countries and to enhance coordination between governmental, research and civil society institutions, in order to develop more effective and sustainable national financing systems capable of addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters.