On the occasion of International Day for Disaster Reduction on October 13, National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) Director-General Obaid Rashid Al Shamsi said that the UAE is a pioneering global model in the way it handled the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic across the country. Hailing the foresight and proactive approach of the UAE government in responding to the pandemic crisis, he asserted that the country has emerged as the leading nation in the global fight against COVID-19.

In his speech, Al Shamsi noted that at a time when the pandemic wreaked havoc across many countries globally, the UAE demonstrated how handling the pandemic with professionalism and an effective and straightforward strategy helped in containing its transmission and repercussions across the nation.

"On International Day for Disaster Reduction, we are proud to be among the ranks of developed nations in our response to crises. The UAE has become a pioneering model and its achievements are being witnessed by all regionally and globally," he said.

The Director-General stated that the UAE was able to lead the pandemic fight with effective decision-making and clear strategy supported by communication and coordination, adding that there was no room for rivalry, opposition or dissonance in the national efforts to contain the virus.

He further congratulated the UAE leadership for its accomplishments and the people for their participation in the success in overcoming the difficult circumstances.

Al Shamsi noted that when world governments were put under the test against the pandemic at the end of 2019, "Everyone wondered, who will overcome this ordeal?"

He went on to say that even though the pandemic storm impacted all countries, the UAE has proven itself with its credible management of the crisis with increased coordination and communication between governmental and non-governmental bodies. All entities came together in the national effort to manage the pandemic, he added.

"This created a path which led to the safety of the public, so that the UAE society was able to enjoy peace and stability," Al Shamsi noted.

In conclusion, he highlighted that not only the efforts of the government, but also of the UAE community led to this success as displayed immense responsibility in dealing with the crisis.