On World Meteorological Day 2025, Saudi Arabia and the UAE reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing early warning systems globally. Both nations aim to ensure that all countries have access to these systems by 2027, aligning with the World Meteorological Organization’s objectives.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, the director-general of the National Center of Meteorology and president of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted that this year’s theme, “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together,” emphasizes the urgent need to improve early warning capabilities. This focus is particularly crucial as extreme weather events become more frequent and pose significant threats to lives and livelihoods.

Dr. Al Mandous noted that since the Early Warnings for All initiative was launched, the number of countries with multi-hazard early warning capabilities has increased from 52 in 2015 to 108 by the end of 2024. However, he pointed out that despite this progress, significant gaps still exist. He called for enhanced global cooperation, especially to support vulnerable countries and improve technical capacities.

He stressed the economic importance of investing in early warning systems, stating that studies show a return of $9 for every $1 invested, highlighting their effectiveness in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Ayman Ghulam, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM), emphasized the urgent need to enhance monitoring and preparedness capabilities due to the rise in extreme weather events linked to climate change. He confirmed that Saudi Arabia is committed to developing its national weather monitoring and alert systems, investing in advanced technologies for the benefit of its population and environment.

Ghulam mentioned that Saudi Arabia was among the first in the region to implement a comprehensive automated early warning system 14 years ago, which has issued numerous warnings, saving lives and mitigating damage from severe weather. He also pointed out the integration of this system with relevant agencies to improve accuracy in forecasts and public awareness, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.