Malaysia-UAE join forces to strengthen disaster preparedness through NADMA-NCEMA collaboration

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have embarked on a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and crisis management, focusing on collaboration between Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

This collaboration, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is set to enhance Malaysia’s capabilities in handling and mitigating disaster impacts.

Zahid who is also the Chairman of Malaysia’s Disaster Management Committee stressed the importance of the collaboration, highlighting how Malaysia stands to benefit from the UAE’s expertise in handling complex disaster situations.

"NADMA has developed several proposals to enhance Malaysia’s disaster management capabilities. The UAE’s experience in handling complex disaster challenges offers invaluable insights as we work to strengthen Malaysia’s disaster preparedness," he said in a statement.

Among the proposals is the implementation of Earth Observation (EO) technology, which uses satellite imagery to collect critical data on weather patterns, sea levels, and environmental changes. This early warning system is expected to improve Malaysia’s ability to predict and respond to potential disasters.

Another area of focus is the High Altitude Platform System (HAPS), which involves using drones and high-altitude balloons to capture high-resolution, real-time data for improved situational awareness in affected areas.

Additionally, Zahid said artificial intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in predicting disasters based on historical data, enabling early warnings, disaster forecasting, and logistical planning.

He pointed out that incorporating such technologies could prove transformative.

"Leveraging AI technology to predict disasters based on historical data, enabling early warnings, disaster type forecasting, and logistical planning will not only improve our disaster response times but also provide us with a level of accuracy and foresight we haven't had before," he added.

Through this cooperation, Zahid said Malaysia and the UAE hope to jointly strengthen disaster relief efforts for neighboring countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines.

According to Zahid, Malaysia recently deployed a Royal Malaysian Air Force EC725 helicopter and a 16-member crew to assist the Philippines in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Trami, exemplifying Malaysia’s commitment to regional support and disaster readiness.

"Malaysia actively participated in the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in the Philippines and the 12th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM) in Brunei to strengthen regional disaster risk management frameworks," he added.

Beyond disaster preparedness, he said Malaysia and the UAE explored broader collaborative opportunities, particularly in the halal sector.

"Beyond disaster management, we also explored opportunities for collaboration in the halal sector, including certification and expanding halal trade potential," he noted.

The discussions also included potential partnerships in renewable energy and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

He said these collaborations aim to boost workforce skills and support sustainable development, advancing both nations' efforts toward a greener, more resilient future.

"These high-potential collaborations will strengthen Malaysia-UAE bilateral relations, elevating our partnership to new heights and laying a solid foundation for shared growth and sustainable development," he said.