As climate-related disasters intensify worldwide, the urgency of robust early warning systems has never been greater. Vulnerable communities, particularly in the Global South, face the brunt of climate-induced hazards, making timely and effective early warnings a matter of survival. To address this pressing challenge, the United Nations Secretary-General has launched the Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative, aiming to ensure universal access to early warning information by 2027. A primer on Early Warning Systems and disaster preparedness, this webinar series offers professionals the chance to stay on top of the latest trends in the sector and connect with a global network of experts, policymakers, and practitioners driving disaster risk reduction.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of CGIAR, is collaborating with key international organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), Risk-informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), UK Met Office, COPE Disaster, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
A platform for global collaboration
The webinar series aims to:
- Share Knowledge: Showcase different types of early warning systems, technological innovations, and global best practices.
- Bridge Critical Gaps: Address challenges in dissemination, last-mile delivery, and effective implementation.
- Foster Multi-Sector Collaboration: Engage policymakers, practitioners, the private sector, and civil society to strengthen investments in early warning systems.
- Drive Action: Highlight innovative solutions and policies to scale early warning systems worldwide.
- Synthesize Learning: Develop actionable recommendations for integrating early warning mechanisms into global policies and investment strategies.
The webinar will span eight interactive sessions and will feature expert presentations, Q&A discussions, and cross-sector dialogues, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of early warning advancements.
Key sessions in the series
- Foundations and key concepts of early warning systems for all: This debut session will provide an
overview of EW4All, impact-based forecasting, and anticipatory action, delving into the
role of data, models, and observational tools in early warning systems. Register here. - Successes and challenges of multi-hazard early warning systems: Join experts as they
cover strategies to tackle floods, droughts, cyclones, landslides, wildfires, and more. This
episode will feature case studies on best practices and opportunities for strengthening
multi-hazard early warning systems. - Community-led and sector-specific early warning systems for resilience: Hear from
key speakers on grassroots approaches and applications in agriculture, health, and
migration. Learn more about the role of local knowledge and community-driven initiatives
in disaster response. - Innovative AI, technology and decision support in early warning systems: In this
session, learn about all the ways artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and digital
decision support systems (e.g., AWARE DSS) are revolutionizing early warning systems
accuracy. - Gender equality and social inclusion, psychology and communication to enhance last-mile delivery: This webinar will broach the critical question: how can early warning
messages reach vulnerable populations through inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches?
Tune in for a conversation on psychological and behavioral insights for effective warning
responses. - Investments in early warning systems to strengthen climate and disaster resilience: Explore financial instruments, insurance mechanisms, and public-private partnerships for sustainable early warning systems investments in this webinar episode.
- Early warning systems nexus with global and regional policies: Hear from key
experts, as they connect early warning systems with international frameworks such as
the Sendai Framework and the Paris Agreement through regional and national
implementation strategies. - Strategic roadmap for impactful EW4All: The final session of the series will
consolidate insights to shape a global roadmap for enhanced early warning systems.
Who should attend?
This webinar series is designed for policymakers, government agencies, disaster risk
management professionals, meteorological and hydrological services and financial institutions. It
also welcomes NGOs, development partners, private sector stakeholders, academia and
technology innovators, fostering collaboration across sectors to enhance the reach and
effectiveness of early warning systems.
A call to action
As climate change accelerates, the need for inclusive, efficient and technology-driven early
warning systems is paramount. The Advancing Early Warning for All webinar series serves as a
critical platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, forge partnerships and drive investment
toward scalable, impactful solutions. By uniting global expertise, this initiative brings the world
one step closer to realizing the EW4All vision—ensuring that no one is left behind when disaster
strikes.
