المملكة: Saudi Arabia in the global meteorical decision -making .. An international presidency that reflects its climate leadership

Saudi Arabia, represented by Dr. Ayman Ghulam, was elected to the presidency of the Asia region of the World Meteorological Organization, during the meetings of the eighteenth session of the Second Regional Union, which includes more than 30 countries from Asia and the Pacific.
This position is one of the most prominent leadership sites in the global meteorological system, and reflects the scientific and technical status that the Kingdom has reached in this vital field.

International position for the Kingdom

The Kingdom’s election of this position is seen as a culmination of a extended march of development and modernization in the meteorological sector, which is today an integral part of the national environmental security system, and an active platform to participate in the formulation of global climatic trends, in light of the escalation of accurate scientific responses to confront the accelerated climate phenomena.

Quality shift in the meteorology

The meteorological system in Saudi Arabia has witnessed a remarkable shift in recent years, based on a strategic vision led by the National Meteorological Center, aiming to transform the center from a service authority into a reference scientific institution that contributes to the drawing of environmental and climatic policies.
During this stage, the infrastructure was strengthened by increasing the number of monitoring stations, expanding the scope of radars, and establishing specialized centers in climate change, dust storms and the industrial rain program, in line with the targets of the Kingdom’s vision 2030.

An integrated scientific and field march

Dr. Ayman Ghulam is one of the national competencies that accompanied this transformation, and his name has emerged in the climate scene as one of the specialists who combined field work, academic research and institutional management.
Ghulam was born in Makkah Al -Mukarramah in 1968, and his career began an air monitor, before he graduated in several positions within the center, including the chief air -entertainment, then a director of the prediction department, until he was appointed as the executive of the National Meteorological Center, and he obtained a doctorate in meteorology, to add to his professional balance as an advanced scientific dimension.

Quality research and climate projects

Ghulam’s role was not limited to technical expansion, but also extended his contributions with work teams to develop scientific and research content, as he launched a number of qualitative projects in the field of air and maritime monitoring, and the technical progress by introducing modern analysis tools, raising the efficiency of weather expectations, and opening the center for research and technical partnerships with universities and relevant authorities locally and internationally.
He also paid attention to qualifying national cadres, and launching specialized training programs that contribute to localizing climate knowledge and raising the level of readiness with the next generation of specialists.

Effective regional and international roles

Ghulam holds a number of regional and international tasks, including the chairmanship of the Standing Committee for Meteorology and Climate at the League of Arab States, and the chairmanship of the joint tropical elements committee between the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Economic and Social of Asia and the Pacific.
Through the National Center, it is supervised by qualitative initiatives such as the regional center for dust and sandy storms, the Climate Change Center, and the industrial rain program, all of which represent executive arms within the Green Middle East initiative adopted by the Kingdom.

Strategic opportunities for climate leadership

His election to the presidency of the Asia region is seen as a step that enhances the Kingdom’s presence in the global climate scene, and gives it a broader role in shaping policies and regional coordination on weather phenomena, especially in the Asia region that faces accelerated environmental challenges and severe climatic disparities.
This position represents a strategic opportunity to expand the influence of the Kingdom within the international climate system, by directing research efforts towards areas of common influence, activating regional initiatives for early warning and preparing for disasters, and developing a participatory climate database between countries, which contributes to enhancing the security of societies and reducing the impact of natural disasters.
At the local level, this leading role is expected to accelerate the implementation of a number of projects of a strategic nature at home, including expansion of smart monitoring programs, the integration of early warning services, and the linking of monitoring networks to civil defense, transport and aviation bodies more efficiently.
This will also enhance the Kingdom’s position as a regional climate experience, and a destination for innovation in the field of climate management and weather, in a way that serves sustainable development plans and protects the human and the environment alike.