An official addresses the First Forum of Business Continuity during Crisis.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

Held under the patronage of Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouie, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the First Forum of Business Continuity during Crisis has recommend that joint meetings should be held between the Disaster Management and Business Continuity teams of all strategic partners and Abu Dhabi Police's Crisis and Disaster Department.

The Forum was organised by Abu Dhabi Police in collaboration with the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and a number of partners under the slogan “Preparedness and Integration."

The participants called to continue co-ordination and hold regular meetings among relevant emergency teams to keep pace with the constant developments.

The participants urged for exchanging successful practices with the developed countries in this field through visits and participation of Abu Dhabi Police Business Continuity Team in the exercises conducted by the local institutions in order to enhance preparedness during disasters.

The opening address was delivered by Brigadier Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director of Central Operations Sector of Abu Dhabi Police on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police.

Brig. Al Khaili said, "This Forum is an important stage of sharing experience and facing challenges during emergencies and crisis," noting that elite experts and professionals brought together in this event will help ensure business continuity and delivery of the best quality services to various community sectors while also enhancing the public confidence in the police organisation.

Delegates attend the forum at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

“We all know that business continuity during crisis should be insured in the best way through adoption of the highest levels of preparedness by all police and support units; as well as through creation of the best strategic initiatives,” he added.

However, Brigadier Al Khaili expressed hope that the participants would approve the recommendations that give an added value to the nature of the police tasks and responsibilities while developing cooperation with the partners.

The audience watched a video featuring Abu Dhabi Police efforts in developing the Business Continuity management system and in implementing the e- transformation plan of the System and applying the best international standards; a thing which enabled Abu Dhabi Police to get the Business Continuity Management ISO 22301.

Moreover, Brigadier Al Khaili also stressed that the Forum is held to highlight keenness to ensure continuity of operations and delivery of services to the citizens, residents and visitors of Abu Dhabi emirate, in line with the Abu Dhabi Police's strategic priorities and goals which correspond with Abu Dhabi emirate's Plan.

The event was attended by a number of directors of Sectors, Directorates, Centres and a huge crowd of Abu Dhabi Police officers. Also present were elite experts and professionals representing various local and federal government agencies as well as the strategic partners.

He reiterated the importance of cooperation and adoption of the best levels of integration and preparedness, noting that the relevant agencies seek to utilise the appropriate methods to reduce the impacts of all crisis and threats and continue to deliver all services and provide training to the concerned sectors and personnel according to the best International practices in this field.

He said that the Forum is an opportunity to study, analyse and exchange the best theoretical and practical experiences related to Business Continuity, wishing to all participants every success.

The sessions included many subjects and discussion panels.

In the first session, Salman Al Salman, Head of Business Continuity Section, National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, has given a presentation on latest version of NCEMA Standard and its importance as the UAE certified Standard.

Dr Lamees Al Qaisi, Director of Business Continuity and Management, Rabdan Academy has focused on the academic perspective of Business Continuity and the most important real incidents and the importance of prior coordination to reduce impacts. She also addressed the relationship between business Continuity and corporate resilience.

Bilal Abdulfattah, Regional Director of East Asia, Lloyd's Registers presented a paper on the most important upgrades to standards in the last few years.

Sheikha Al Zeezi, Business Continuity team leader, Al Ain City Municipality, presented their experience and achievements in Business Continuity.

Khalid Bahabri, Business Continuity consultant, KSA gave a presentation on the importance of prior coordination among all partners to avoid negative effects and ensure Business Continuity during crisis and disasters.

Colonel Ahmed Nasser Al Kendi, Director of Crisis and Disaster Department of Abu Dhabi Police presented Abu Dhabi Police experience in Business Continuity, focusing on the recent most important achievements and the alternative plans followed to deal with emergencies. He also talked about enhancing the police capabilities to deal with any incident. He referred to creation of comprehensive centres across Abu Dhabi Emirate to deliver all services at the level and time.

At the end of the Forum, Colonel Ahmed Al Kendi honoured the participants with appreciation certificates and souvenir trophies and expressed thanks for their efforts at the Forum. He wished them all success.