On June 9, International Training Course on AI Empowered Early Warnings for All (hereinafter referred to as the Course) opened in Shanghai, China. 22 trainees from 21 countries, including Jordan, Chad and Mauritius, gathered for a 5-day training and communication.

During the opening ceremony of the Course. Photoed by JIANG Zhiqing

“This gathering is timely and vital.” Mr. Cyrille Honoré, Deputy Director of Member Service Department of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), also Director of Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warnings of WMO said, in an era marked by escalating climate-related disasters and extreme weather events, the need for robust, inclusive, and people-centered early warning systems had never been more urgent. This multi-stakeholder approach was essential to the success of the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which was built on the principle of partnership. Only by working together could all address the full value chain of early warning systems, from observation and forecasting to communication and response.

Cyrille Honoré delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Photoed by YANG Yang

“This Course comes at a time when the world is witnessing an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, underscoring the urgent need for more accurate and effective early warning systems.” As a representative of trainees, Mr. Raed Ahmad Subhi Rafid, Director of the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said, that was why this training program rich in technical topics and practical applications was of such high relevance. From the efforts of WMO in supporting the EW4ALL initiative, to Shanghai’s pioneering experience in disaster mitigation, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in forecasting and warnings, every element in the Course had added to its unique value.

Mr. Mustafa Adiguzel, Scientific Officer in the Education and Training Office of WMO Science and Innovation Department, gave the first lecture of the Course. Photoed by YANG Yang

With the theme of “AI+”, "Government+" and "Finance+" as the main topics, the Course adopts the diversified mode of “technology sharing + case exchange + field experience". Experts from WMO, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), universities, AI research and financial institutions were invited to give lectures focusing on the application of AI in early warning, the development of Urban Multi-hazard Early Warning Toolbox, and green finance and disaster risk management. And there is a special workshop which will set up for the practical operation of the Toolbox. In addition, traditional Chinese cultural experiences such as paper-cutting were also incorporated.

WMO Regional Association II (Asia) Pilot Project of the Centre on Urban Multi-Hazard Early Warning launched. Photoed by YANG Yang

During the opening ceremony, WMO Regional Association II (Asia) Pilot Project of the Centre on Urban Multi-Hazard Early Warning launched, Shanghai Meteorological Service and Shanghai Emergency Management Bureau jointly released multilingual early warning information service system covering 14 languages.

Editor: JIANG Zhiqing