Baku: Azerbaijan has made significant strides in modernizing its meteorological system, as emphasized by Umayra Taghiyeva, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, at the 'Early Warnings and Sustainable Cities' event during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Taghiyeva highlighted the global challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, which collectively threaten ecosystems, human well-being, and sustainable urban development. She stressed the importance of resilient infrastructure to counter climate-related threats, citing Azerbaijan's experiences with environmental issues. The Deputy Minister underscored the necessity of robust early warning systems to enhance climate resilience in cities.

Taghiyeva detailed Azerbaijan's commitment to modernizing its meteorological capabilities as part of the National Adaptation Plan and the Great Return Program. She revealed that 73% of the national meteorological systems have been automated and updated with modern technology over the past five years, marking a significant phase in the early warning system's enhancement. However, further advancements are needed to fully modernize the system by 2030. This includes the development of modern forecasting techniques, verification systems, local numerical weather models, and sector-specific climate analyses to meet the outlined objectives.