United Nations: Designating Salalah as a Resilience Hub for 2030 Confirms Its Arab Leadership and Shift from Commitment to Implementation
By Mohamed Saad
Sandra Amelnig, Head of the Regional Office of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for the Arab States, affirmed that the designation of the city of Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman as a resilience hub under the “Disaster Resilience 2030” initiative represents a strong indicator of the city’s leadership and ambition in the Arab region.
Amelnig stated that this designation is not merely an important achievement for Salalah, but reflects a fundamental shift from commitment to implementation. She noted that resilience is no longer just theoretical assessments, but is now being translated into tangible actions on the ground.
She added that Salalah is no longer just a beneficiary of the initiative, but has become a key partner in shaping the future of urban development based on risk management in the region. She emphasized that its journey provides a clear model of how strong local leadership, supported by a national vision and international cooperation, can be turned into practical results.
She explained that the Sultanate of Oman’s readiness to host the Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2027 gives Salalah an opportunity to take on a central role by showcasing real-life experiences, enhancing the exchange of expertise, and contributing to global dialogue on risk reduction.
Amelnig stressed that resilience is built locally but has a global impact, affirming that cities like Salalah play a leading role in this transformation.
It is worth noting that the city of Salalah has received international recognition as a resilience hub under the “Making Cities Resilient 2030” program of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, becoming the first city in Oman to receive this recognition, the second in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the third in the Arab world.
