CEO of Meteorology Launches Global Partnership Initiative to Strengthen Early Warning Systems for Dust and Sand Storms

The CEO of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) and General Supervisor of the Regional Center for Dust and Sand Storms, Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, today (Wednesday) launched the "Global Partnership to Strengthen Dust and Sand Storm Early Warning Systems" initiative, as part of the activities of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) held in Riyadh.

The initiative aims to improve the world's ability to predict, mitigate and respond effectively to dust and sand storms by strengthening cooperation between the four WMO Regional Centres, namely the Jeddah Regional Centre, the Barcelona Centre, the Beijing Centre and the Pan-American Centre in Barbados.

During the announcement of the initiative, Dr. Ayman Ghulam stressed the importance of addressing this recurring environmental phenomenon that affects the lives of more than 330 million people annually, including 14% of children around the world, stressing the health, economic and environmental damage caused by dust and sand storms, explaining that the initiative seeks to save lives, protect livelihoods, and enhance resilience by improving data exchange, supporting scientific research, and developing early warning systems.

Dr. Ghulam pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is committed to providing financial support worth $10 million over five years to ensure the success of the initiative, as part of its commitment to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.