Launch of drought monitoring and semi-quarterly forecast systems

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, today (Monday) launched the Drought Monitoring Systems and the Semi-Quarterly Forecast during the opening of the Climate Change Conference held within the activities of the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), held in the capital Riyadh from 2 to 13 December.

Dr. Ghulam stressed that these two systems are very important as they are high-value tools that provide accurate data to various entities and individuals, including researchers and specialists, with the aim of enhancing the ability to prepare for extreme weather events, stressing that they will serve as a model to be followed in various regions around the world.

He explained that the Kingdom's interest in the issues of drought and land degradation and its hosting of the 16th Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification (COP16) reflects the Kingdom's interest in this file through the great efforts that demonstrate its leadership in confronting the effects of climate change.

Dr. Ghulam explained that the efforts of the National Center of Meteorology represent a milestone in the Kingdom's march towards achieving balance and supporting sustainable development, as these efforts emerged from the idea of establishing a climate change center under the umbrella of the National Center of Meteorology to form a strategic initiative in enhancing the Kingdom's environmental performance and enhancing its role and commitment to confronting regional and global climate change.

The Center for Climate Change organized a scientific conference entitled "Climate Change and its Impact on Regional Drought and Land Degradation", as part of the activities of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16).