WMO Chief Celeste Saulo: China a Global Leader in Early Warning and Climate Action

“Climate change and extreme weather events are becoming increasingly severe.”

Source: China Meteorological News

“Climate change and extreme weather events are becoming increasingly severe. Heatwaves are more frequent, storms and floods more destructive, and tropical cyclones intensify faster than ever. Earlier this year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record, with devastating weather taking a heavy toll on economies, ecosystems, and communities worldwide—including China,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. She emphasized that ensuring global access to early warning systems is now a top priority, which is why this year’s World Meteorological Day focuses on "Closing the Early Warning Gap."

“WMO greatly values China’s strong support for the Early Warnings for All initiative,” Saulo said. She highlighted China’s announcement of concrete measures to enhance global climate resilience during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024. She praised China’s approach to early warning and climate action, calling it a “global example.”

Saulo noted that China’s efforts to strengthen disaster monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems are a key contribution to the initiative’s second pillar—“Observations and Forecasting.” She pointed to China’s Fengyun geostationary meteorological satellites, which provide rapid, high-frequency disaster monitoring for African and Asia-Pacific nations based on regional needs.

She also commended China’s commitment to helping developing countries build their meteorological capacity, including training 2,000 personnel and offering 100 scholarships—initiatives announced at COP29.

Recognizing China’s leadership, Saulo praised its flagship South-South cooperation program on early warning, which provides free meteorological observation equipment and cloud-based early warning systems to developing nations. China is also offering short-term training, scholarships, and long-term research fellowships in areas such as early warning, risk assessment, and climate change adaptation. “We deeply appreciate the efforts of the China Meteorological Administration,” Saulo said. “We look forward to seeing China play an even greater role in global climate resilience.”

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