ARISE Board Meeting: A Strategic Vision for Global Resilience
ARISE Board members during the meeting held at the Marriott Marquis Creek in hybrid mode
Introduction
The ARISE Board convened on November 25, 2024, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, marking a significant milestone in the organization's journey towards comprehensive disaster risk reduction. This pivotal meeting, held at the Marriott Marquis Creek in hybrid mode, represented a critical moment of strategic planning and collaborative engagement. The gathering was particularly noteworthy as it marked the first in-person meeting of new board members with UNDRR’s Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Kamal Kishore, symbolizing a renewed commitment to transformative resilience strategies.
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Direction
SRSG Kamal Kishore's participation brought profound insights into the core mission of ARISE. His emphatic call to highlight ground-level implementation stories underscored the importance of moving beyond theoretical frameworks to showcase tangible resilience initiatives. This approach reflects a fundamental shift towards demonstrating the practical impact of disaster risk reduction strategies, making clearer how ARISE is helping enterprises to reduce disaster risk via concrete improvements in disaster risk management, advocating to improve regulations, increasing investments, etc.
Resource Mobilization: A Comprehensive Approach
The Board recognized that sustainable impact requires robust financial support. Consequently, they discussed to develop a multifaceted resource mobilization strategy that goes beyond traditional fundraising methods. This comprehensive approach would involve strategic engagement with diverse stakeholders, including corporate entities, philanthropic foundations, and international donors. They proposed organising a webinar on financing resilience which is an innovative mechanism to not only attract potential funding but also to educate and create awareness about the critical importance of investing in disaster risk reduction.
Collaborative Ecosystem and Strategic Partnerships
ARISE is committed to creating a robust, interconnected ecosystem of resilience-focused initiatives. The Board's strategic plan involves deep collaboration with multiple UNDRR-supported programs, including Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030), the Investment Advisory Board (IAB), and the Corporate Chief Resilience Officers (CCRO) network. These partnerships are not merely symbolic but represent a comprehensive approach to knowledge sharing, resource optimization, and collective impact.
Advanced Monitoring and Performance Tracking
Recognizing the need for data-driven decision-making, the Board has implemented an advanced MS Power BI dashboard. This technological solution provides real-time insights into progress, enabling more agile and responsive strategic management. The dashboard facilitates a transparent tracking of key performance indicators, ensuring accountability and enabling rapid adaptation of strategies as needed.
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025
The upcoming Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 (GP2025) presents a vital opportunity for ARISE to enhance its influence and amplify its message on private sector resilience. To capitalize on this, the ARISE Board will develop a comprehensive engagement strategy that includes forming specialized teams for both preparatory and main event phases, crafting strong narratives to inspire private sector participation, making strategic speaker recommendations, and actively engaging in planning committees. This multifaceted approach aims to ensure that ARISE’s perspectives are prominently featured in discussions, thereby driving meaningful change in disaster risk reduction efforts.
Membership Evolution: Quality and Diversity
ARISE's membership strategy transcends mere numerical growth. The Board is committed to cultivating a diverse, representative network that spans multiple sectors, regions, and organizational types. This approach ensures a rich, multifaceted perspective on disaster risk reduction, bringing together varied expertise and experiences.
Continuous Improvement through Strategic Review
The ARISE review process represents a commitment to ongoing evolution and excellence. By soliciting input from board members, network leaders, and diverse stakeholders, ARISE ensures its continued relevance and effectiveness in an ever-changing global landscape.
A Transformative Vision
The November 2024 Board meeting was more than a routine gathering—it was a strategic inflection point. By emphasizing practical implementation, fostering strategic partnerships, and maintaining a flexible, innovative approach, ARISE is positioning itself as a global leader in disaster risk reduction and resilience building.
The journey ahead is complex, but with its robust strategy, diverse expertise, and unwavering commitment, ARISE is well-prepared to drive meaningful, sustainable change in how societies understand, prepare for, and respond to potential disasters.
The Board Meeting was followed by the ARISE Sympoisum. To read more on the symposium see here and here.