On March 28th, the 26th edition of the National First Line of Defense Forum officially commenced in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the National Unified and Integrated Training System for Readiness and Response under the supervision of the UAE National Medical and Volunteer Reserve Team, the forum followed the theme of “Together for a Nation’s Readiness.”Accredited by the European Center for Disaster Medicine and National Training, the event has drawn wide participation from national medical institutions, ambulance services, civil defence, police, as well as emergency and disaster response authorities.

Dh100 million in specialised training grants

Under the strategic announcement, a grant of Dh100 million has been allocated for specialised training to support first responder capabilities. These internationally accredited programs will cover emergency management, disaster preparedness and major incident response. They will be delivered in partnership with global institutions including American Disaster Foundation, the European Center for Disaster Medicine, the American College of Surgeons, and prominent organisations in the United Kingdom. They are mandatory under national regulatory directives.

A first for Abu Dhabi

Professor Roberto Mugavero, President of the European Center for Disaster Medicine announced the official accreditation of Abu Dhabi as the first licensed centre for emergency and disaster medical training in the Middle East and North Africa. Abu Dhabi has solidified its position as a regional and international hub for developing training curriculam, advancing simulation-based programs and integrating artificial intelligence technologies into training, he added.

26th edition of National First Line of Defense Forum

The launch of the forum’s 26th edition reflects a strategic national vision to strengthen the country’s readiness and build a comprehensive response system. With the ongoing regional tensions and escalating war between Iran and the US-Israel, Middle Eastern countries have been prepping for emergency readiness in all sectors to ensure safety and preparedness. Dr. Adel Al Shammari Al Ajmi, CEO of the Zayed Giving Initiative, President of UAE Doctors Initiative, and Head of the National Readiness and Response Program emphasised that first-line defense heroes represent the backbone of the national health security. Investing in their training and empowerment is a direct investment in community protection, he added. The forum also honoured first-line defense heroes, including distinguished national professionals who contributed to the design and management of specialized training programs. Training institutions, certified trainers, and reserve and volunteer medical teams were also recognized for their role in supporting healthcare and community institutions locally and internationally.Moreover, Ajmi noted that the forum is the outcome of an organised national effort to build an integrated training ecosystem that brings together government, private and non-profit sectors through strategic partnerships.The forum aligns with the UAE’s national vision to establish a unified and integrated field management system at the operational level, combining theoretical education, practical application and high-fidelity simulation. It also reinforces cooperation among healthcare, security, and service sectors.