Dr Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center of Meteorology, presented the Kingdom’s work to develop early warning systems, improve coordination among agencies responding to weather events, and use artificial intelligence and modern technology.
Ghulam represented Saudi Arabia at the second Arab Forum on Early Warning Systems and Disaster Preparedness, held in Tunisia. He took part in a panel on implementing the Early Warnings for All initiative at the national level. Representatives of Syria, Morocco and Lebanon also joined the session.
Ghulam said the center had developed an integrated system for monitoring, forecasting, risk assessment and the rapid distribution of weather alerts. It has updated the early warning system and linked it to agencies responsible for emergency and disaster management, while expanding data exchange through digital platforms and communication channels.
He identified closer coordination and data sharing across sectors, a denser observation network and broader data coverage as key challenges. Other priorities include incorporating climate risk information into decision-making and sectoral policy, and improving multi-hazard early warning systems with modern monitoring, forecasting, data analysis and AI tools.
The strategic priorities for the next five years include developing high-resolution numerical forecasting models, integrating radar, satellite and surface observation data, and applying artificial intelligence and machine learning. The center also aims to turn forecasts into clear information on the nature, location and timing of risks and their potential effects on people and infrastructure.
Ghulam stressed the importance of developing national expertise in meteorology and data science. He also highlighted the need to connect the center’s outputs with emergency management systems, relevant agencies, infrastructure operators and the public, as well as to develop climate services, assess systems and conduct simulation exercises.
