Early Warning Systems In The Arab Region Move From Reactive Response To Proactive Action

National Center for Meteorology CEO Dr. Ayman Ghulam stated that Arab countries must strengthen early warning systems and disaster readiness as climate change drives more frequent and intense weather extremes. Dr. Ghulam said the region needs to move from reaction after disasters to proactive alerts and planning to better protect lives and property.

Highlighting recent impacts, Dr. Ghulam said the Arab region is among the areas most affected worldwide by weather disruptions. The State of the Climate in the Arab Region report found that more than three million people were harmed by extreme events during 2024, with over 300 deaths linked to heatwaves and floods.

Dr. Ghulam warned that the recorded figures still underestimate the full scale of human and economic damage. Climate risks, according to Dr. Ghulam, cross borders, so separate national responses are insufficient. He said this shared exposure makes a coordinated Arab framework on early warning systems and disaster management a strategic need.

Speaking at the First Arab Regional Forum on Early Warning Systems, Disaster Preparedness, and Response, Dr. Ghulam addressed representatives of institutions, experts, and decision-makers responsible for risk and disaster management in Arab countries. The forum took place at the General Secretariat of the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, bringing together regional stakeholders for technical discussions.

Dr. Ghulam called for building a joint Arab early warning system based on real-time data sharing, unified technical and operational procedures, and the use of modern tools such as artificial intelligence and advanced numerical models. Such integrated early warning systems, Dr. Ghulam said, would improve forecasting accuracy and support quicker, coordinated responses across Arab states.

Dr. Ghulam also outlined the Kingdom’s role in regional and international climate efforts through initiatives such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. He noted the establishment of the Sand and Dust Storm Regional Center and the Regional Climate Change Center, which support scientific capacity, adaptation strategies, and mitigation plans in Arab countries.

At the close of the address, Dr. Ghulam reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening joint Arab and regional work on early warning systems. Dr. Ghulam said the Kingdom remains ready to continue cooperation, share expertise and technical enablers, and help raise the performance of early warning systems, supporting a safer and more sustainable future for communities in the region.

With inputs from SPA