The ARISE Symposium on Climate and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, held on 25 November in Dubai, convened leaders from the private and public sectors, real estate professionals, infrastructure experts, and international organizations. Participants explored innovative strategies for developing infrastructure that can withstand the challenges of climate change and disasters, including the growing threat of extreme heat. The event reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, with support from ARISE UAE and Sobha Realty, the symposium represented a significant step forward in advancing the global resilience agenda.
The symposium featured high-level participation, including H.E. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for DRR and ARISE Co-Chair; H.E. Bérangère Boëll, United Nations Resident Coordinator for the UAE; and Mahmoud Al-Burai, Senior Advisor at the Real Estate Regulatory Agency and ARISE Vice-Chair.
Held at the Marriott Marquis Creek Deira in Dubai, the symposium gathered over 120 participants, including remote attendees via a hybrid format.
On the same day, two other important events were conducted: the in-person meeting of the ARISE global Board and an introductory workshop on strengthening the disaster resilience of SMEs in three selected cities from Barbados, Spain, and Japan. Participants of these events also attended the symposium.
Timely alignment with global priorities
The event was organized at a time of heightened global focus on resilience, aligning perfectly with ongoing discussions on financing, adaptation, and inclusive action of COP29, which recently highlighted the critical role of resilience in achieving global climate goals. The UN Secretary-General's Call to Action on Extreme Heat and the UNDRR SRSG's detailed 10-point action plan for extreme heat resilience have further stressed the need for bold collaboration to address this escalating risk.
The symposium outcomes align closely with these global conversations. It provided a platform to explore practical solutions and advocate for transformative policy changes, such as scaling up resilience tools, harmonizing regulatory standards, and fostering public-private partnerships that enable the integration of resilience into infrastructure design for sustainable development.
Call to Action
Four critical call-to-action points were presented during the event:
- Enhance risk assessment systems for understanding vulnerabilities to and from infrastructure.
- Adapt risk assessment processes to account for climate change impacts.
- Reform financial systems to support resilience-focused investments.
- Establish predictable recovery mechanisms for post-disaster rebuilding.
Building resilient infrastructure: from tools to regulatory change
The symposium's flagship panel, Building Resilient Infrastructure: From Tools to Regulatory Change, explored the intersection of innovative resilience tools and the regulatory frameworks governing infrastructure development. Moderated by Abhilash Panda, Deputy Chief of Inter-Governmental Processes at UNDRR, the session featured:
- Amit Prothi, Director General of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), who discussed global initiatives aimed at scaling up disaster-resilient infrastructure and highlighted CDRI's ongoing efforts to foster collaboration across countries to ensure climate-resilient infrastructure development.
- H.E. Nathif Jama Adam, Chair of the ASAL and DRM Committee, Council of Governors, sharing lessons from the response to climate change and different disasters affect small-scale traders and other stakeholders along the value chain.
- Mahmoud Al-Burai, ARISE Vice Chair, showcasing the Real Estate Resilience Tool developed for the real estate sector.
The private sector's perspective was shared by leaders such as:
- Nathalia Schmuziger, Procurement Manager at Nippon Koei LAC.
- Fadi Nwilati, CEO of Kaizen Asset Management Services.
- Rima Nassair, Director of Owners Association at Provis.
These experts highlighted how businesses are leveraging advanced tools to strengthen resilience, including integrating climate resilience into long-term investment strategies and deploying technology to improve infrastructure's ability to withstand extreme weather events.
Key themes in this session included the scaling of the Real Estate Resilience Tool, the need for industry-wide standards, and pathways for regulatory reform. The discussions emphasized that building resilient infrastructure is not only critical for risk reduction but also a strategic necessity for economic stability and long-term development.
Fireside chat: Tackling extreme heat
Inlight of rising global temperatures and intensifying heatwaves, the symposium's fireside chat focused on the urgent need for heat-resilient infrastructure. Moderated by Farah Naz, Director of ESG and Innovation at AECOM Middle East Africa, the session featured:
- Jagannathan Ramaswamy, Senior General Manager for Sustainability and Climate Action at Sobha Realty, who emphasized private sector contributions to the UN's Extreme Heat Call to Action.
- Kerry Hinds, Director of the Department of Emergency Management in Barbados, who shared lessons from implementing community-focused heat resilience strategies.
The discussion revolved around actionable approaches for businesses to adapt their operations and support broader resilience efforts. Key takeaways included the integration of innovative building practices and materials in urban planning, advocacy for regulatory and policy changes such as updated building codes and incentives for sustainable practices, and the use of technology and data to design effective early warning systems. The session also highlighted the necessity of engaging communities in developing localized solutions and ensuring that resilience strategies address vulnerabilities at the grassroots level.
Actionable outcomes and next steps
Key takeaways from the symposium include:
- Scaling innovations: Expanding tools like the Real Estate Resilience Tool and integrating them into regulatory frameworks to drive industry-wide change.
- Collaborative action: Strengthening public-private partnerships to tackle systemic risks posed by climate change and extreme heat.
- Policy advocacy: Urging policy reforms to create environments conducive to resilient infrastructure investments, advocating for reforms like mandatory climate risk assessments in infrastructure projects or streamlined approval processes for green investments, achieved through multi-stakeholder engagement.
These discussions will inform ongoing dialogues leading to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) and contribute to implementing COP29 outcomes, ensuring global alignment on resilience and sustainable development.
Expectations from ARISE and the Private Sector at large
Following the symposium, three key outcomes are expected for the ARISE network:
- Embed risk-adjusted return considerations in daily investment and disaster risk reduction conversations.
- Strengthen collaboration between governments and the private sector to advance regulatory frameworks.
- Address the impact of extreme heat on infrastructure systems.
Looking ahead
As disasters become more frequent and severe, forums like the ARISE Symposium provide critical platforms to accelerate action, share knowledge, and build a united front against climate challenges. By promoting resilience in infrastructure and tackling the impacts of extreme heat, ARISE National Networks and UNDRR are demonstrating leadership in building a safer, more sustainable future.