Progress has been made in implementing early warning systems that protect people from impending natural disasters, but the world still has far to go to meet the goal of Early Warning Systems for All, according to leaders and experts who spoke at the SDG Lounge.
“The reality is that we’re not doing a very good job,” said Selwin C. Hart, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Climate Action Team. “For every dollar needed to protect vulnerable communities and people from climate extremes, only five cents are being mobilized.” This stark shortfall comes amid record-breaking heat and soaring profits for fossil fuel companies, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Vulnerable Nations Demand Urgent Action
Small Island Developing States (SIDS), among the most vulnerable to climate change, report progress but face growing threats. Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness shared that his country has implemented several measures to strengthen early warning systems. Yet, he admitted, resilience remains the “weak component” of Jamaica’s climate strategy.
“With the intensifying nature of climate change, robust and innovative funding solutions, as well as technical assistance and capacity building support, remain essential if we are to scale up early warning systems to fully implement the Early Warning Systems for All initiative,” he said.
Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, and Energy of the Maldives, echoed these concerns. As one of the world’s most climate vulnerable nations, the Maldives has launched a national roadmap for resilience and disaster preparedness. Yet, challenges persist. “With climate related disasters occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, the growing unpredictability of extreme weather events presents a severe challenge, pushing our resources and infrastructure to the brink,” he warned.
Innovation and Data as Lifesaving Tools
Global technology leaders also emphasized the importance of data and innovation in scaling early warning systems. Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft and UN SDG Advocate, pointed out that “knowledge is power” when it comes to saving lives. “If you want to give early warnings to people, you have to know where they live. But in much of the global south, the data is 15 years old.” In response, Microsoft and its partners have mapped every building on Earth, creating a foundation for better-targeted warnings. Additionally, they have made strides in identifying flood-prone areas, connectivity gaps, and regions of heightened vulnerability.
The disconnect between solutions and real-world implementation
For many, the disconnect between innovation and implementation on the ground remains a major concern. Jagan Chapagain, CEO and Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, cautioned, “There is a huge disconnect between some of the innovations we’re talking about here and what’s happening on the ground with communities.”
The investment gap is another critical barrier. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Disaster Risk Reduction, underscored the unparalleled value of early warning systems from an investor’s perspective. However, he noted that funding remains disproportionately concentrated, with most of it directed to just seven middle-income countries.
Collective Effort to Achieve Early Warnings for All
Despite the hurdles, there is collective determination to close the gaps. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Professor Celeste Saulo highlighted the significance of recent global agreements. “Countries have agreed, in the Pact for the Future, that Early Warning Systems for All is an absolute necessity—it’s the way forward,” she said. “We, together, can make it a reality, from different perspectives, different approaches, and levels of knowledge, by channeling the opportunities. I believe we are closing the gap, but there is a lot of work to do, and we are willing to support that work.”
The session underscored that achieving Early Warning Systems for All by 2027 will require a concerted global effort, innovative funding mechanisms, and a focus on translating technology and policy into tangible action for the communities most at risk.
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