Egypt takes leadership in African earthquake research

Dr. Mohamed Nabil El-Gabry, Professor of Seismology and Natural Hazards at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), has been elected President of the African Seismological Commission (AfSC). This historic election marks the first time an Egyptian has held this prestigious position.

Dr. El-Gabry was elected by the AfSC General Assembly during its fourth session held in Namibia. He secured the presidency through a direct, free vote among the executive council members. This appointment makes him the first Egyptian to lead the AfSC.

He previously served as the First Vice-President of the AfSC, a position he attained in October 2023 during the General Assembly held in Hurghada, Egypt.

He also serves as the Director of the African Center for Research on Disaster Risk Reduction, a research center affiliated with NRIAG. The center, established in 2022, was recognized by the African Union in March 2023 as a center of excellence in natural hazards. The center conducts training programs for researchers from various African countries, funded by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development.

Dr. El-Gabry's election reflects Egypt's prominent role in supporting African cooperation in natural hazards research and mitigation. It underscores Egypt's commitment to enhancing regional scientific research and collaboration in addressing natural challenges.

The AfSC is an institution affiliated with the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, of which Egypt has been a prominent member since its inception in the 1920s. Egypt, through its National Committee of Geodesy under the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, holds leadership in several of the union's sub-committees.