CHANCELLOR ZAKI NUSSEIBEH SPEECH TO THE 8th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON FLASH FLOODS IN WADI SYSTEMS

UAEU Al Ain 4th November, 2024

It is a pleasure to welcome you to this Eighth International Symposium on Flash Floods in Wadi Systems. Since it is start in 2015 at Kyoto University, this gathering has shown the strength of working together across disciplines, institutions, and countries.

THE PROBLEM

Rainfall is a simple yet essential element. It is the foundation of our renewable water resources. It refills our groundwater, supporting agriculture, industry, and daily needs. The importance of rainfall and run-off to the sustainability of freshwater cannot be overstated.

However, as we all know, intense rainfall can also have destructive effects. Over the past decade, global water-related disasters have become more frequent and severe. These disasters, which include floods, droughts, storm surges, and tsunamis, make up a staggering 90% of all natural disasters that affect people. They have disrupted communities, destabilized economies, and hindered progress towards sustainable development.

The reality of climate change is clear: extreme water events are more frequent and intense. They test the resilience of our infrastructure and place our societies in peril.

THE PROBLEM IN ARID REGIONS

Your symposium emphasizes the need to view water management through the lens of disaster risks. It also highlights the urgent need to do this in arid and semi-arid regions. Here, flash floods are quick, intense, and highly localized, and pose unique challenges. The scarcity of hydrological and meteorological data presents a particular challenge to the prediction of flash floods in arid areas.

UAE AS EXAMPLE

Here in the UAE, we are increasingly aware of the impacts climate change has on our water systems. We have 158 dams and a storage capacity of 130 million cubic meters. This demonstrates our commitment to identifying strategies and measures that will build resilient infrastructure.

During the heavy rains of 2023-2024, we recorded over 15.5 billion cubic meters of rainfall and 1 billion cubic meters of runoff. Fortunately, our infrastructure enabled us to recharge our groundwater by over 625 million cubic meters. We know that the design of our drainage systems and dams must be prepared for extremes.

GLOBAL CHALLENGES

However, this practice is not a global routine. Despite the recognition and expertise of disaster management experts around the world, the incorporation of disaster awareness into routine national water management systems has a long way to go.

IMPORTANCE OF THE SYMPOSIUM

Your symposium will address these challenges, and it is for these reasons that it has great importance.

It is crucial to advance our research in the field. By deepening our understanding of complex and extreme water events, we gain better tools to mitigate future impacts, adapt strategies, and support sustainable development.

It is vital to take a long-term view of the challenges climate change poses. We should not only focus on the next disaster. We can only protect our communities by taking proactive, data-driven steps toward sustainable disaster risk reduction and resilience.

There is an urgent need to turn the risks of flash floods into opportunities for water harvesting and groundwater recharge. This is a sustainable perspective on risk-management that will bring global benefits.

Preparedness yields results. We must think about prevention, resilience, and the science and planning that enable swift recovery. We must strengthen networks between water authorities, planners, and disaster risk managers. This should bring disaster-risk reduction and sustainable development together.

Your discussions will shape future research, inform policy, and make meaningful change to the lives of communities around the world.

UAEU PERSPECTIVE

At UAEU we believe global challenges like flash floods require collaborative solutions. Addressing flash flood risks and their environmental impacts calls for regional and international cooperation. We need a shared approach, learning from one another and promoting the understanding that water risk considerations should be integrated into the plans of all nations.

This is why we are pleased to host this global symposium.

CONCLUSION

Over the next few days, you will share insights and explore the latest research on flash flood risks and resilience. I hope you find these sessions enriching and inspiring, helping us all advance our knowledge and strategies.

In closing, my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in organizing this event. May your time here in Al Ain be both productive and enjoyable.

Thank you.