The Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Meteorology, Dr. Ayman Ghulam, has underscored the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, exchanging expertise and knowledge, and developing climate services to support national policies, strategies, and adaptation plans. Speaking during a virtual workshop titled “Regional Climate Services: Strengthening Cooperation and Building Capacity,” organized by the General Secretariat of the Middle East Green Initiative in cooperation with the National Center for Meteorology, represented by the Regional Center for Climate Change, Dr. Ghulam said these efforts help build climate resilience while reducing the social, environmental, and economic impacts of climate change. The workshop, announced via official Saudi channels, brought together experts and representatives from across the region to review progress, share technical knowledge, and chart future cooperation priorities.
But why does a single virtual workshop in Jeddah matter to readers far beyond the Arabian Peninsula? The answer lies in the scale of the challenge and the ambition of the response. As climate variability intensifies across the Middle East — a region already characterized by extreme heat, water scarcity, and desertification — the ability of nations to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions has become a matter of economic stability and human wellbeing. Saudi Arabia, through its environmental diplomacy and scientific investment, is positioning itself as a regional hub for climate data, early warning systems, and adaptation science. The Kingdom’s approach, officials say, is not merely reactive but proactive, embedding environmental policy into national development pathways under Saudi Vision 2030.
Context and Background
What is the Middle East Green Initiative, and why has it become a central platform for regional climate action? Launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the initiative represents a landmark effort to coordinate environmental restoration, afforestation, and climate mitigation across the Middle East. It complements the Saudi Green Initiative, which focuses on domestic sustainability targets, including the planting of billions of trees and the protection of vast areas of land and sea. Together, these initiatives reflect a strategic recognition that environmental resilience is inseparable from economic resilience.
Dr. Ghulam noted that, within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom has worked to integrate environmental policies into development pathways through both initiatives. These efforts support ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, afforestation, and land rehabilitation programs. The virtual workshop formed part of this broader architecture, serving as a technical and scientific forum where member countries could articulate their needs, review available services, and identify opportunities for collaboration. Such gatherings are essential because climate impacts do not respect borders; sand and dust storms, heatwaves, and shifting rainfall patterns affect entire regions, requiring coordinated responses.
The Regional Center for Climate Change, established in 2023, has already achieved significant milestones since its inception. According to Dr. Ghulam, these include preparing specialized climate studies and analyses, developing databases and indicators to support decision-makers, and organizing scientific meetings and workshops involving local and international experts. The center has also strengthened cooperation with academic and research institutions and established effective partnerships. These efforts collectively support climate change adaptation across the region, providing a scientific foundation for policy decisions that must be made under conditions of uncertainty.
Key Details
What specific capabilities and programs were highlighted during the workshop? Dr. Ghulam explained that the regional centers and programs announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman serve as key pillars for enhancing the sustainability of the environment and natural resources. These include the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, the Regional Center for Climate Change, and the Regional Cloud Seeding Program. Each of these entities conducts scientific, research, operational, and coordination activities that contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s environmental objectives and those of the wider region.
The Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, for example, addresses a phenomenon that affects public health, aviation, agriculture, and solar energy production. By improving forecasting and early warning systems, the center helps countries take preventive measures that reduce economic losses and protect vulnerable communities. The Regional Cloud Seeding Program, meanwhile, represents an innovative approach to enhancing precipitation in arid regions, a technology that could have profound implications for water security. These are not abstract scientific pursuits; they are practical tools with direct consequences for millions of people.
During the workshop, participants reviewed the center’s services, technical and scientific capabilities, major projects, achievements, and scientific outputs. Discussions focused on member countries’ needs and future cooperation priorities, with an emphasis on building capacity, exchanging expertise, improving the use of climate services, and achieving the objectives of the Middle East Green Initiative. The dialogue reflected a shared understanding that climate adaptation is a collective endeavor, one that requires sustained investment in data, institutions, and human capital. The workshop also provided a platform for identifying gaps and aligning resources to address them efficiently.
International and Regional Impact
How does regional cooperation on climate services translate into tangible benefits for countries across the Middle East? The answer lies in the multiplier effect of shared knowledge. When one country develops a sophisticated climate model or a new drought-resistant crop technique, others can adapt and apply that knowledge without duplicating costly research. The Regional Center for Climate Change facilitates exactly this kind of exchange, acting as a clearinghouse for data, methodologies, and best practices. For smaller or less resourced nations, access to such expertise can be transformative, enabling them to make informed decisions about agriculture, water management, and urban planning.
Moreover, the center’s work supports national policies and adaptation plans that are increasingly required by international climate frameworks. By providing reliable climate data and projections, the center helps countries meet reporting obligations and design credible adaptation strategies. This, in turn, enhances their access to international climate finance and technical assistance. The Kingdom’s leadership in this area has been recognized by regional partners, who view Saudi Arabia not only as a major economy but also as a source of scientific and institutional capacity. The workshop underscored that climate resilience is a shared regional interest, one that transcends political differences and short-term economic cycles.
Economic and Strategic Significance
Why should investors, business leaders, and policymakers pay attention to climate services? The economic case is compelling. Climate-related disasters — from floods to prolonged droughts — can disrupt supply chains, damage infrastructure, and destabilize markets. By investing in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and adaptive agricultural practices, countries can reduce these risks and protect economic growth. For Saudi Arabia, which is diversifying its economy under Vision 2030, climate resilience is not a peripheral concern but a core component of sustainable development. Reliable climate information supports sectors ranging from tourism and renewable energy to logistics and manufacturing.
The strategic significance extends beyond economics. Climate cooperation can serve as a confidence-building measure, fostering dialogue and trust among regional states. The Middle East Green Initiative, with its emphasis on shared environmental goals, exemplifies how technical collaboration can create common ground. Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting and supporting these initiatives enhances its standing as a responsible global actor committed to multilateral solutions. As the world transitions to a lower-carbon future, the Kingdom is positioning itself at the forefront of adaptation science — a field that will only grow in importance as climate impacts intensify.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How does the work of the National Center for Meteorology and the Regional Center for Climate Change connect to Saudi Vision 2030? At its core, Vision 2030 is about building a diversified, sustainable, and globally engaged economy. Environmental sustainability is woven throughout the vision, from the Saudi Green Initiative’s target of planting 10 billion trees to the broader goal of protecting natural resources for future generations. The regional centers announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are concrete manifestations of this commitment, translating high-level objectives into scientific research, operational programs, and regional partnerships.
By fostering regional cooperation and developing climate services, Saudi Arabia is not only protecting its own future but also contributing to the stability and prosperity of the wider Middle East. The Kingdom’s leadership in this domain reflects a forward-looking understanding that environmental challenges require collective action, sustained investment, and a commitment to evidence-based policymaking. As Dr. Ghulam’s remarks made clear, the path to climate resilience runs through cooperation, capacity building, and the effective use of climate services. Through these efforts, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate that Vision 2030 is not merely a national blueprint but a platform for regional and global progress.
20 Questions
Q1. What was the main topic of the virtual workshop organized by the Middle East Green Initiative?
A1. The workshop, titled “Regional Climate Services: Strengthening Cooperation and Building Capacity,” focused on enhancing regional collaboration, exchanging expertise, and developing climate services to support adaptation and resilience across the Middle East.
Q2. Who is the CEO of the National Center for Meteorology?
A2. Dr. Ayman Ghulam serves as the CEO of the National Center for Meteorology. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and climate services during the workshop.
Q3. When was the Regional Center for Climate Change established?
A3. The Regional Center for Climate Change was established in 2023. Since then, it has achieved significant milestones in climate studies, database development, and regional cooperation.
Q4. What are the key pillars announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for environmental sustainability?
A4. The key pillars include the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, the Regional Center for Climate Change, and the Regional Cloud Seeding Program, all aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and natural resource management.
Q5. How does Saudi Vision 2030 integrate environmental policies?
A5. Vision 2030 integrates environmental policies into development pathways through initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, supporting ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and afforestation.
Q6. What is the purpose of the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms?
A6. The center addresses sand and dust storms by improving forecasting and early warning systems, helping countries reduce economic losses and protect public health, aviation, and agriculture.
Q7. What is the Regional Cloud Seeding Program?
A7. It is an innovative program aimed at enhancing precipitation in arid regions. It represents a practical tool for improving water security and supporting climate adaptation efforts.
Q8. What achievements has the Regional Center for Climate Change made since 2023?
A8. It has prepared specialized climate studies, developed databases and indicators for decision-makers, organized scientific meetings, and strengthened cooperation with academic and research institutions.
Q9. Why is regional cooperation important for climate resilience?
A9. Climate impacts cross borders, so coordinated responses are essential. Regional cooperation allows countries to share knowledge, pool resources, and implement effective adaptation strategies collectively.
Q10. What did workshop participants discuss regarding member countries’ needs?
A10. They discussed building capacity, exchanging expertise, improving the use of climate services, and achieving the objectives of the Middle East Green Initiative through future cooperation priorities.
Q11. How do climate services support national policies and adaptation plans?
A11. Climate services provide reliable data and projections that help countries design credible adaptation strategies, meet international reporting obligations, and access climate finance.
Q12. What is the Middle East Green Initiative?
A12. It is a regional effort launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to coordinate environmental restoration, afforestation, and climate mitigation across the Middle East.
Q13. How does the Saudi Green Initiative differ from the Middle East Green Initiative?
A13. The Saudi Green Initiative focuses on domestic sustainability targets, while the Middle East Green Initiative extends cooperation across the region for broader environmental impact.
Q14. What economic benefits arise from investing in climate services?
A14. Investing in climate services reduces risks from climate-related disasters, protects economic growth, and supports sectors like tourism, renewable energy, logistics, and manufacturing.
Q15. How does climate cooperation build trust among regional states?
A15. Technical collaboration on shared environmental goals fosters dialogue and confidence-building, creating common ground that transcends political differences and short-term economic cycles.
Q16. What role does the National Center for Meteorology play in these efforts?
A16. It supports the Regional Center for Climate Change, provides scientific expertise, and helps coordinate regional efforts to develop climate services and build adaptive capacity.
Q17. What are the social impacts of climate change that the workshop aimed to address?
A17. The workshop aimed to reduce social, environmental, and economic impacts of climate change, including threats to health, water security, agriculture, and community stability.
Q18. How does Saudi Arabia’s leadership in climate services enhance its global standing?
A18. It positions the Kingdom as a responsible global actor committed to multilateral solutions and adaptation science, enhancing its reputation and influence in international climate discussions.
Q19. What future cooperation priorities were identified at the workshop?
A19. Priorities included building capacity, exchanging expertise, improving climate service utilization, and aligning resources to achieve the Middle East Green Initiative’s objectives efficiently.
Q20. How does this workshop contribute to Saudi Vision 2030?
A20. It advances Vision 2030’s sustainability goals by promoting regional cooperation, scientific research, and climate resilience, supporting the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification and environmental stewardship.
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