These days, International Training Course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Empowered Early Warnings for All is underway this week in Shanghai, China. This metropolis is exploring innovative early warning solutions and contributing to the global community through practice, in particular, Urban Multi-hazard Early Warning Toolbox (hereinafter referred to as the Toolbox)  developed by Shanghai Meteorological Service (hereinafter referred to as the Service).The Service empowers early warning system with technology by developing the Toolbox and deploying three synergistic strategies，namely, “AI+”“Government+” and “Finance +”.

Focusing on early warning, demonstrating Shanghai intelligence

The emergence of the Toolbox stems from China's profound insight into global climate governance. 

Confronted with the challenges of frequent extreme weather events and intensified disaster chain reactions, under the deployment of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), the Service has integrated institutional tools, algorithmic model tools, operational system tools, and empirical cases that underpin the "4 pillars" including urban multi-hazard early warning risk assessment, monitoring and early warning, information dissemination, and emergency response. This provides technical support and practical template for building a more inclusive and adaptive global early warning system.

To integate the early warning services into urban collaborative governance and public welfare, the Service assists developing countries in enhancing AI-empowered meteorological capabilities and promote collaborative development, and sharing of global meteorological resources.

Global practice with a focus on catering to diverse demands 

The value of the Toolbox resides in the transition from technological support to ready-to-use solutions.

Currently, the Toolbox has been in trial application in 12 countries and regions, covering multiple disaster scenarios such as urban flooding, typhoons and rainstorm.

Take the heavy rainfall event in Papua New Guinea in March this year as an example. Local forecasters harnessed the Toolbox to overlay satellite data, quickly lock in high-risk areas, compare multi-source models to draw scientific conclusions, and provide  scientific basis for disaster prevention and mitigation. 

At the same time, Mongolia has also relied on the Toolbox to continuously refine aviation meteorological services and forecasts of waterlogging impacts in Ulaanbaatar.

Besides, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority has integrated the Toolbox into its daily operational system to conduct normalized monitoring of diverse disaster scenarios such as floods and droughts on the African continent, making it a critical tool for local disaster prevention and mitigation.

To cater to the needs of different countries, the Toolbox continues to upgrade through a plug-and-play, customized service model, providing weather- or scenario-based full-chain solutions. 

These efforts accelerate the dissemination of Shanghai’s practice in early warnings and the narrowing of technological gaps, further contributing to global disaster prevention and mitigation.

Sharing to the world and enjoying wide global recognition

Dr. Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) paid a visit to Shanghai in 2023. He remarked that the Toolbox Shanghai is promoting to the world, and especially, to Belt and Road partner countries, has integrated Shanghai's technologies and experiences, providing Shanghai’s solution for promoting disaster prevention and mitigation and Early Warning for All action in the Asia-Pacific region.

The expertise and the Toolbox developed by the Service has also impressed Ms. Ko Barrett, WMO Deputy Secretary-General a lot. She spoke highly of these innovative practices during her visit in China in February.

Ko Barrett was inspecting Shanghai Meteorological Service. Source: The Service

From May 28 to 29, on the occasion of Global Mayors Dialogue and the 2025 Shanghai International Friendship Cities Cooperation Forum, delegations from Victoria from Republic of Seychelles and Djibouti city from the Republic of Djibouti visited the Service. They were much impressed by the Toolbox and expressed interests in deeper exchanges in this regard.

The International Training Course (hereinafter referred to as the Course) on AI Empowered Early Warnings for All underway is also a case in point. It will further provide a platform for Shanghai to share its expertise and solutions in early warnings to the world, contributing to the implementation of the United Nations’ Early Earnings for All initiative.

During the Course Photoed by YANG Yang

On June 9, during the Course, the Service and Shanghai Emergency Management Bureau jointly released multilingual early warning information service system (hereinafter referred to as the System) covering 14 languages.

The multilingual early warning information service system was released. 

At present, the "Zhang Qian Mission" composed of 19 young professionals is becoming a driving force in Shanghai's meteorological international cooperation and exchanges. Through the innovative practices of this team of young professionals, the mobile interface design and promotion plan of the Toolbox have been gradually improved, providing flexible and adaptable solutions for countries at different development levels.

In the future, with the continuous breakthroughs in meteorological technology and the deepening international cooperation, the Toolbox will weave a more intricate global disaster prevention and mitigation security network.

In collaboration with Shanghai Meteorological Service

Special thanks to DING Xintong with the Service

Planned by/Editor: LIU Shuqiao