"Enhancing Climate Knowledge and Services" Workshop Concludes with Emphasis on Bridging Data Gaps to Support Decision-Making

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The Climate Change Center (CCCC) concluded today the work of the workshop "Enhancing Climate Knowledge and Services in the Kingdom" held in Jeddah, with the participation of a number of specialists and beneficiaries from the relevant authorities, with the aim of discussing the reality of climate services and anticipating their development in a way that enhances climate readiness and resilience.

The Executive Director of the Climate Change Center, Dr. Mazen Asiri, explained that the workshop reviewed the capabilities of the Center in the field of climate change studies, where a database of climatic elements was developed using different scenarios until 2100, and the development of seasonal and sub-seasonal forecast systems and a drought monitoring system that aims to support decision-makers and mitigation, adaptation and resilience plans from the effects of climate change.

In a related context, the workshop stressed the importance of bridging the gaps in the climate services chain, starting from the production and analysis of climate data, to its effective use in supporting decision-making processes at various levels, to ensure the maximum use of climate information in planning and risk management.

Participants stressed that building trust in climate data and services is a pivotal factor to enhancing the effectiveness of climate-related decisions and practices, as well as the need to streamline climate communication and develop applied climate products that take into account the needs of different sectors to address the growing climate challenges.

The workshop also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation and exchanging experiences at the national and international levels to support the climate services system, and reviewing the best international practices in this field, in a way that contributes to raising the efficiency of climate action and the integration of roles between the relevant authorities.

The workshop discussed the areas of employing artificial intelligence technologies in the development of climate services, improving the accuracy of forecasts and the efficiency of climate products, in addition to reviewing the future prospects of climate services and their role in enhancing readiness and preparedness for climate fluctuations and phenomena.

The organization of this workshop comes within the framework of the efforts of the Climate Change Center to develop the national climate services system, and to support decision-makers with reliable data and information, in order to contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the fields of sustainability and climate resilience.