Saudi Arabia Initiates Global Sand and Dust Storm Monitoring Program

Saudi Arabia's Initiative for Monitoring Sand and Dust Storms

Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step in environmental protection with the announcement of a new international initiative aimed at monitoring sand and dust storms. This initiative is set to enhance the existing global early warning systems, crucial for managing the impacts of these natural phenomena. The announcement was made during the Day of Resilience at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh.

Dust storms, increasingly common due to both natural and anthropogenic factors, pose serious health and environmental risks. According to UNCCD, around 2 billion tons of sand and dust are released into the atmosphere annually, equivalent in weight to 350 Great Pyramids of Giza. Alarmingly, it's estimated that over 25% of this is a result of human activity.

The newly launched monitoring initiative is designed to boost the global capacity for forecasting and managing dust storms, overseen by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This initiative adds to the existing network of monitoring nodes, with the center located in Jeddah, joining established nodes in Beijing, Barcelona, and Barbados. Jumaan Al-Qahtani, the CEO of the region's dust storm advisory and assessment node, emphasized that their center has developed three validated models for predicting dust storms, all of which are operational.

In a bid to augment global collaboration, Saudi Arabia announced a commitment of $10 million over the next five years to enhance early warning systems in nations struggling to implement such measures. Al-Qahtani called upon other United Nations bodies and countries to support this vital initiative.

The focus on global resilience against drought also featured prominently during the COP16 discussions. Doctor Osama Faqeeha, the Vice Minister of Environment, asserted the urgent need for a proactive approach to drought preparation and resilience-building, especially as over 1.8 billion people globally are affected by this pressing issue.

At the COP16 conference, Saudi Arabia earlier launched the Riyadh Global Alliance for Drought Resilience, part of the Riyadh Action Agenda, aiming to mobilize global actors and improve land restoration and drought resilience initiatives. The conference attracted considerable financial backing, with the World Bank announcing that it has secured $24 billion in donor contributions, which is expected to generate a total of $100 billion for accessible financing, supporting climate resilience and agricultural improvements in 78 of the most affected countries.

The COP16 conference is pivotal in shaping a multi-national response to critical issues including drought resilience, land tenure, and dust storm management, as it commemorates the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD. The collaborative efforts recognized during this conference underline the importance of international partnerships in combating the severe impacts of desertification and enhancing environmental sustainability.

For more information about this initiative and other actions taken at COP16, visit UNCCDCOP16.org.