Early Warnings in Central Asia
Closing remarks at the “Early Warning Systems in Central Asia: From Regional Cooperation to a Sustainable Future”, Regional Ecological Summit 2026, Astana
Your Excellency Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Directors and representatives of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services,
Distinguished panellists, excellencies, colleagues and friends,
It is an honour to close this important discussion. Central Asia stands at a crossroads. Climate risks are no longer distant threats.
They are here. They are accelerating. They are shaping lives and economies across the region.
Allow me to apologize for arriving late. I arrived in Astana this morning and came directly from a meeting with the President. We spoke about this Forum—and about what must come next.
And the message is clear. From devastating floods, to intensifying dust storms, to glacial retreat and growing water stress. These are not isolated events. They are interconnected risks. They demand a shared response.
Our WMO State of the Climate reports confirm it: Central Asia is warming faster than the global average.
This is not just a statistic. It is a signal—that we must act, together, and with urgency.
Excellencies,
We have heard it throughout this Summit: Early warning systems save lives. They protect livelihoods. They safeguard development gains. But they only work when the system works as one.
Observation. Data sharing. Forecasting. Communication. Preparedness. Each link matters. Each gap costs lives. And no country can build this alone.
Weather and water do not stop at borders. The initiatives discussed today are essential. They strengthen collaboration among NMHSs. They advance joint action. They promote the exchange of expertise and capacity.
This is the purpose of WMO—to turn science and data into action through cooperation. And this is why the United Nations Secretary-General launched Early Warnings for All: to ensure multi-hazard early warning systems reach everyone.
But this effort goes beyond NMHSs and WMO. It requires the full system—UNDRR, ITU, IFRC, regional institutions and partners. Because for most hazards, we already have the science and the tools to predict and warn. We must not fail to use them
to save lives and protect economies.
Excellencies,
Last year, all WMO Members agreed on a clear path forward. I am encouraged to see it reflected in the Joint Statement on implementing the Early Warnings for All initiative in Central Asia. It sets the priorities we must now deliver:
- Expand and modernize observation networks—especially in high mountains.
- Close critical gaps and advance GBON implementation.
- Share data openly, freely, and in real time—as a global public good—through WIS 2.0.
- Scale up impact-based forecasting—so warnings lead to action.
- Implement the Common Alerting Protocol—and ensure warnings reach the last mile.
- Harness innovation responsibly—including artificial intelligence.
- And invest in science, capacity, and institutions.
We must also strengthen regional coordination, track risks and losses, and ensure early warnings are inclusive—reaching women, children, and the most vulnerable. And we must move to integrated, multi-hazard systems. Because droughts, floods, heatwaves and water scarcity are interconnected.
Excellencies,
We see progress. The Joint Statement on implementing the Early Warnings for All initiative in Central Asia is an important step forward. Partnerships are growing. Momentum is building. But more must be done. No country should lack reliable early warnings.
No community should be left unprotected. No data should go unused.
Excellencies,
Early Warnings for All is more than an initiative. It is a promise—of dignity, of safety, of prosperity. A new way of working—together.
Let me close with the words of the President of Kazakhstan: “Ecology should unite us, not divide us.” This is our direction. Because the challenges we face are shared. And the solutions must be shared. From regional cooperation—to a sustainable future.
Let us unite to deliver Early Warnings for All—for all, and with all.
Thank you.
Source-https://wmo.int/content/early-warnings-central-asia?utm_source=chatgpt.com