UN/ISDR arranged in cooperation with the World Bank and the Arab Academy the Regional Workshop on Disaster Risk Assessment to generate technical input to the Second Regional Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in Yemen, 19-21 of May.  The participants showed a strong commitment to disaster risk reduction as geological and hydrological hazards, desertification and climate change are challenging the socio-economical situation in the region. The region is characterized by rapid urbanization in combination with increased vulnerability to disasters, the participants therefore stressed the demand for urban planning, identifying, assessing and monitoring risk. Furthermore, the participants outlined the need to face and cope with the massive water management challenges in combination with demographic pressures and rising demand for water and electricity. Risk Assessment is for this purpose seen by the participants as a critical tool that can provide the probability of loss due to the occurrence of a natural hazard in a particular geographical area and thereby assist in where and how to build safe houses, schools, hospitals and infrastructure. A successful risk assessment will also drive the political commitment of national governments and donors to disaster risk reduction.