Tunis: The Ministry of the Interior is determined to continue developing the civil protection system by updating legislation, strengthening capabilities, expanding training programmes and opening up to successful international experiences, in order to reinforce preventive security and enhance institutions' ability to confront various risks, Interior Minister Khaled Nouri said on Monday. He was speaking at the opening of the regional workshop organised jointly by the National Civil Protection Office and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Tunis from April 6 to 8 under the theme 'Preventive Planning and Protection of Facilities from Fires.'
According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, Nouri stressed that holding this scientific workshop in Tunisia for the second time reflects the success of the first edition and demonstrates a commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at developing capacities and improving coordination among stakeholders. He noted that the risks threatening facilities, especially fires, have become more complex due to rapid urban and technological development, making it necessary to shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one based on solid scientific planning, accurate risk assessment, adoption of international safety standards and the use of modern technologies for early detection and effective response.
He added that preventive planning is no longer optional but an absolute necessity given current challenges, as it provides a framework that integrates efforts to ensure the safety and continuity of facilities, reduce human and material losses and strengthen the resilience of the national economy. This requires a collective and coordinated approach based on knowledge-sharing and alignment at both regional and international levels.
The minister described the workshop as an important scientific platform and a real opportunity to exchange successful experiences and explore innovative solutions to enhance the readiness and efficiency of civil protection systems. He also highlighted the leading role played by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in supporting research and specialised training, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation with the National Civil Protection Office.
For his part, Director General of Civil Protection Mohamed Rached Souissi said the workshop is an important opportunity to enhance joint action and coordination to protect lives and property. He also highlighted the National Civil Protection Office's commitment, under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior, to keeping pace with the latest international practices in fire prevention, particularly AI-based technologies and praised Arab cooperation in the field of civil protection.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences and Vice President for External Relations, Khalid bin Abdulaziz Alharfash said that returning to Tunisia to co-organise this regional workshop stems from a firm belief in its role as a cornerstone of joint Arab security cooperation, noting that it hosts the activities of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. He added that the workshop is being held at a critical time, as the world is witnessing a significant increase in fires and their impacts.
He cited the 2024/2025 global wildfire report, which indicated that between March 2024 and February 2025, about 3.7 million square kilometres burned worldwide, with more than 8 billion tons of CO2 emissions, around 10% above the global average since 2003. More than 100 million people were exposed to fire risks, while global losses reached approximately $215 billion. He stressed that these figures highlight the scale of growing challenges and the urgent need to strengthen preventive planning, develop early response systems, and leverage modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to reduce fire risks and their impacts.
He added that the university has placed strong emphasis on crisis and disaster management through advanced academic programmes, partnerships with international organisations and over 40 scientific publications, as well as recommendations to establish a crisis and disaster management centre.
For his part, Secretary-General of the Arab Interior Ministers' Council Mohammad bin Ali Kuman highlighted the council's long-standing focus on disaster management, noting the establishment of the Arab Office for Civil Protection and Rescue in 1984 and the organisation of a biennial conference for civil protection chiefs since 1987, the latest of which was held in Baghdad in August 2025. He also reviewed key achievements of these conferences, including the development of guidelines for fire prevention standards and a model Arab guide for investigating fire causes, both shared with member states.