NCEMA Conducts "Shield of the Nation 2/2025" Exercise to Enhance Preparedness and Strengthen National Coordination
Abu Dhabi: As part of a series of strategic exercises aimed at enhancing the UAE’s readiness and its ability to efficiently and effectively respond to simultaneous and complex crises, the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority is conducting the "Shield of the Nation 2025" exercise. The exercise will run for 11 days, from January 13 to January 23, in collaboration with all concerned federal, local, and private sector entities.
This exercise is part of a comprehensive plan to implement the "Shield of the Nation" series at the national level. It includes various scenarios simulating current and anticipated crises characterized by their complexity and multifaceted nature, requiring precise coordination and joint national efforts. The exercise began with activities and meetings focusing on horizon scanning, forecasting future risks, and preparing national documents to serve as a primary reference for subsequent exercises and to develop effective and integrated response mechanisms.
The "Shield of the Nation 2/2025" exercise aims to test the nation’s ability to achieve integration and harmony among various entities by enhancing joint, proactive efforts and utilizing comprehensive national tools. It also seeks to evaluate the relevant national documents and measure the capacity of national entities to address a wide spectrum of risks, threats, and challenges, ensuring resilience and adaptability through national cooperation and coordination.
The exercise emphasizes the importance of horizontal and vertical coordination among the concerned entities at local and federal levels, contributing to improved responses to various types of crises. It highlights the significance of information exchange and continuous information flow management among entities to ensure early warning and proactive response activation. This, in turn, reduces the impact of crises and accelerates recovery processes by simulating real-life scenarios and testing coordination across different levels.
Furthermore, the exercise provides an opportunity to enhance the capabilities of working teams to operate under pressure in rapidly changing and volatile environments. It underscores the importance of proactive planning and joint efforts among all security, military, and civilian entities, leveraging national resources, and accelerating the transition from response to recovery phases.
The "Shield of the Nation 2/2025" exercise serves as a practical example of implementing the latest methodologies in emergency, crisis, and disaster management. It reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to developing comprehensive national plans, placing it among the leading nations in this field globally. The exercise also reflects the country’s dedication to strengthening its capabilities to address geopolitical challenges and future risks, ensuring the preservation of its achievements, safeguarding its national interests, and achieving its strategic objectives.