Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Demonstrating its commitment to saving lives and advancing global rescue operations, the UAE opened the 39th International Meeting of the Cospas-Sarsat Programme on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. The event, which runs through June 5, brings together more than 200 experts from 45 countries.
The meeting - hosted for the first time in the UAE - was organised by the National Guard and the National Search and Rescue Centre (NSRC) under the patronage of Major General Staff Pilot Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, Commander of the National Guard.
“This gathering stands as a testament to the UAE’s visionary leadership in fostering global partnerships and sharing expertise, ultimately contributing to saving lives and strengthening emergency response systems in line with the highest international standards,” said Brigadier Rashid Al Naqbi, Director General of the NRSC, in his opening address.
Allen Knox, Head of the Cospas-Sarsat Delegation and Chairman of the 39th Joint Committee Meeting, called the UAE meetings a significant milestone.
“These annual meetings form a cornerstone in strengthening the global search-and-rescue framework. They provide a vital platform for coordination, knowledge exchange, and evaluation of emerging technologies and methodologies,” Knox said.
“We anticipate outcomes that will directly enhance the efficiency of lifesaving operations worldwide, increasing the speed and accuracy of responses,” he added.
What is Cospas-Sarsat?Founded in 1982, Cospas-Sarsat is a global humanitarian programme that has saved more than 66,000 lives so far.
“It is a free, global system operating 24/7 via satellites, offering rapid and accurate location of distress signals anywhere in the world,” Saif Al Kaabi, Training and Exercises Section Head at the (NSRC), told Aletihad.
Modern tools such as AI and drones are revolutionising rescue efforts, and the UAE is taking the lead, Al Kaabi said.
Since the country joined the Cospas-Sarsat programme in 2009, it has grown into a major player deploying new technologies, including nine ground stations, AI-powered distress signal analysis, as well as a fleet of AW139 helicopters across five zones.
By using advanced technology, UAE teams are able to locate missing people faster and reduce the hazards for the squads on the ground, Al Kaabi said, highlighting the importance of real-time data analytics.
In 2024 until the first quarter of 2025, the NSRC has carried out more than 1,200 search-and-rescue operations within the UAE and beyond, solidifying the country’s humanitarian leadership.
“We aim to support countries affected by disasters through partnerships and rapid-response tech,” Al Kaabi said. Despite the innovations in search and rescue, gaps and challenges remain, especially when it comes to reaching remote areas and standardising capabilities.
“That is why meetings like these are vital - for sharing expertise and improving global coordination,” the NSRC official said.
On the meeting’s first day, several closed events tackled key issues such as improving satellite alert systems, data-sharing processes, and enhancing collaborative international agencies.
