On the afternoon of June 12 local time in Geneva, Switzerland, China EW4ALL Side event was held in the main venue of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Geneva headquarters.

This event was jointly organized by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and WMO. About 150 people, including President of WMO, Secretary-General of WMO, Deputy Secretary-General of WMO, presidents of WMO Regional Associations and members of the WMO Executive Council (EC), participated online and offline to discuss international cooperation and development of early warning systems.

Dr. CHEN Zhenlin, Administrator of CMA and Permanent Representative of China with WMO, announced six additional commitments to provide support for the Early Warnings for All Initiative activities, covering emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud platform technologies, multi-hazard early warning in urban areas, meteorological satellite application, international training and academic education, joint research and development, and others. He remarked that CMA would explore more experience in disaster prevention and reduction, and service for the social development, and help boost global monitoring, early warning and emergency disaster mitigation capabilities.

Mr. WANG Weiren, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government expressed that the Shanghai Municipal Government has actively responded to the Early Warnings for All Initiative, and this significant work requires not only the endeavor of meteorological departments, but also the full-fledged participation and support of relevant government departments.

During this event, expert from Shanghai Municipal Meteorological Service introduced the progresses of urban multi-hazard early warning, and demonstrated Shanghai's innovation and practice in multi-hazard early warning service.

Experts from Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) introduced the Cloud-based Early Warning Supporting System jointly developed by meteorological departments of China and Pakistan.

Dr. Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, President of WMO, said that CMA played a vital role in providing exceptional meteorological and climatological services.

This expertise is not only crucial for China, but for the entire global community. It is a cornerstone of the efforts to promote Early Warning Systems for All.

Prof. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO, commented that focusing on urban settings and related multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) was essential. It is no surprise that this issue holds significant importance on the UNFCCC COP presidency agenda. She reiterated the appreciation for China’s continued and extended support for WMO activities over the years, and looked forward to both teams working together towards the goal of an ambition of excellence to advance the case of urban multi hazard early warning systems.

After this event, representatives of countries and international organizations related to disaster reduction displayed great interest in China's early warnings practice and inquired about relevant information.

This event has not only reinforced international exchanges and cooperation in the field of early warning, but also strongly underpinned the construction of urban multi-hazard early warning systems and the enhancement of disaster prevention and mitigation capacity of all countries, especially developing countries.

Editor: LIU Shuqiao