By tf-lawyer.com On October 24, the 51st multi-country assessment event organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) took place in Chongqing. Representatives from the WMO Secretariat and meteorological and hydrological departments from ten different countries were in attendance.
The initiative for universal early warning systems was launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres back in 2022, with a goal to ensure that by the end of 2027, everyone around the globe has access to early warning systems for weather events. China has already begun collaborating with countries such as Pakistan and Ethiopia to develop early warning systems and enhance early warning capabilities for all.
During this assessment, the delegation focused on the UN’s efforts to promote universal early warning systems. They specifically researched how Chongqing’s intelligent meteorological business technology system functions in areas such as monitoring, forecasting, warning services, the dissemination and communication of warning information, and disaster risk management. Additionally, they explored the role of smart meteorology in the modernization of governance in large cities, as well as the development of exemplary meteorological services in the Shapingba District.
Notably, Shapingba has created Chongqing’s first digital flood control decision-making and command system, which has been recognized as a typical case by the United Nations for universal early warning systems and has been disseminated through WMO training to 92 countries and regions.
Jian Yu, an official from the WMO Asia and South-West Pacific Regional Office, emphasized that due to its unique topography, Chongqing is particularly susceptible to extreme weather events and secondary disasters. Therefore, the meteorological risk warning experiences from Chongqing offer invaluable insights for developing countries. “The meteorological risk warning experience from China, including that of Chongqing, is like a comprehensive toolbox,” he explained. “The various climate issues faced by different countries are akin to screws of different sizes, all of which can find the right tools within this toolbox.”
