The National Center of Meteorology celebrates the 14th anniversary of the launch of the Automated Early Warning System within the activities of the COP16 conference in Riyadh

The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) celebrated today (Thursday) the 14th anniversary of the launch of the Automated Early Warning System for Weather Phenomena, in the presence of Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, as part of the Center's participation in the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (COP16), held in the capital, Riyadh.

In his speech on this occasion, Dr. Ghulam stressed that the system is one of the most important achievements of the Kingdom since the establishment of the center, as it represents a vital tool in managing climate risks at the local and Arab levels, as well as reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to protecting lives and property, promoting sustainable development, and represents a source of pride for the country, and a proof of the Kingdom's relentless efforts in the field of meteorology and climate risk management.

He added that the system relies on the latest international technologies in the field of meteorology, which ensures the provision of accurate and effective warnings in a timely manner, and reflects the Kingdom's vision to achieve the highest standards of safety and protection.

The system was launched in 2010 as a direct response to the floods in Jeddah in 2009, which demonstrated the need for an integrated system to predict extreme weather events and issue early warnings. Since then, the system has evolved significantly, becoming a model for the region.

The system has issued more than 18,250 warnings since the beginning of 2024, which has contributed to reducing the negative effects of natural disasters on lives and property, and the continuous innovation and tireless development of the system has made it a role model in enhancing psychological and social security, by giving citizens and residents a sense of reassurance that there is an effective system that monitors weather conditions on an ongoing basis.