Abu dhabi: President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Association II (Asia) and CEO of the National Center for Meteorology Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam stressed the Kingdom's leadership in employing artificial intelligence (AI) to forecast floods and sandstorms and support cloud seeding operations, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and enhance the readiness of early warning systems.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Ghulam addressed the 'WMO AI Conference: AI for Weather Prediction, Advances, Challenges and Future Outlook,' hosted by Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 11, with the participation of leading experts and specialists from around the world.

Dr. Ghulam noted that the Kingdom has harnessed AI in meteorology to achieve significant advances in forecast accuracy, particularly in predicting flash floods and sand and dust storms, as well as in developing decision-support systems to improve the efficiency of cloud seeding and increase rainfall.

He said these steps are part of the national orientation to benefit from advanced technologies and to transform climate challenges into opportunities for development and innovation. He stressed that the Kingdom's commitment reflects its pioneering status in the region and its support for WMO's Early Warnings for All initiative.

He concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of boosting international and regional cooperation to harness AI in serving meteorology and climate sciences, thereby contributing to the protection of lives and property and supporting the sustainability of natural resources.