Catalysing Business Engagement in Early Warning Systems 2025

Foreword Early warnings are crucial to save lives from extreme weather, water and climate-related events. In Bangladesh, in 1970 a tropical cyclone killed 300,000 people. In 2020, a storm of similar strength killed just 26 people. This reduction was due to the effectiveness of the Bangladesh Cyclone Preparedness Programme, a multistakeholder initiative, which ensured timely warnings reached vulnerable populations, as well as coordinated disaster preparedness and response. There are similar recent success stories in other countries that are exposed to tropical cyclones – in low-lying South Pacific and Caribbean islands such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Barbados and Jamaica and in the coastal Southern African nation of Mozambique. Unfortunately, only 50% of countries worldwide have reliable multi-hazard early warnings. The UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative seeks to extend these life-saving services to all, especially the most vulnerable. This requires sustainable partnerships and clear guidance on how the private sector can contribute to, and leverage the benefits of, the early warning systems (EWS) value chain.There is significant room for the private sector to create added value, with promising technologies and services ranging from cutting-edge AI-driven models for better risk knowledge to enhanced warning dissemination and communication. Business engagement also benefits society, allowing companies to enhance their corporate social responsibility. It is essential for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) and businesses to reach a balance between delivery of authoritative and reliable warnings and services, and innovation. This will ensure the long-term sustainability and relevance of EWS. This partnership is vital to closing the global early warning coverage gap and protecting lives and economies from growing climate change impacts. This paper aims to lay the foundations for partnership. It presents a framework for understanding the role of business in early warning and a first assessment of business engagement in the field.Celeste Saulo Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization Catalysing Business Engagement in Early Warning Systems January 2025 Catalysing Business Engagement in Early Warning Systems 3