The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, the CEO of the National Center of Meteorology, was elected as the President of the Asia Regional Union of the World Meteorological Organization. This decision was made during the 18th virtual meeting, attended by representatives from Asian member countries, regional and international organizations involved in meteorology and climate affairs.
Dr. Ghulam was elected by acclamation due to the high esteem the Kingdom enjoys for its leadership role in the development of regional and international meteorological systems. The Kingdom has achieved significant milestones in weather monitoring, utilization of modern technologies, and enhancement of the quality of climate services.
In his speech, Dr. Ghulam expressed his gratitude to the member countries for their trust in the Kingdom. He stressed that this appointment is a significant responsibility and an opportunity to enhance regional collaboration. He highlighted that the Kingdom is at the forefront of international decision-making, leading quality efforts through its regional and global organizations and centers, with support from the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to actively contribute to environmental and meteorological issues, prioritize climate issues, and develop various fields.
Dr. Ghulam reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting approved regional initiatives, providing opportunities for technical and knowledge exchange, and strengthening cooperation mechanisms among member countries to develop meteorological and climatic services and tackle rapid environmental challenges. He mentioned that the Kingdom will launch comprehensive training and qualification programs targeting technical personnel, in addition to enhancing the infrastructure for monitoring and forecasting, enabling member countries to benefit from successful experiences and national capabilities, which will positively impact community safety and achieve sustainable development in the region.
In conclusion, Dr. Ghulam expressed his confidence that the upcoming phase will witness further integration among member countries, fruitful cooperation with the World Meteorological Organization, leading to a more prepared and sustainable future for the Asia region, enhancing its global position within the international decision-making system.
