The climate crisis continues to set new records each year, leading to more extreme weather events such as prolonged heatwaves, catastrophic rainfall, flooding, and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones. This July, Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, caused significant destruction across the Caribbean. However, thanks to advancements in early warning systems by the countries in the region, the hurricane resulted in fewer deaths compared to previous ones.
According to this year's Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems report, the world has reached its highest levels of early warning coverage since 2015. Despite this progress, it remains uneven. Half of the countries in Africa and only 40% of countries in the Americas and the Caribbean have reported the existence of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems. Even among countries with such systems, many still have gaps in one or more of the four pillars: risk knowledge, forecasting and detection, warning dissemination, and early action.
As national governments take on a greater role in implementing Early Warnings for All, the findings of this year's global status report, along with the second Advisory Panel report, aim to help partners and international donors focus their efforts where the needs are greatest. This year's report not only provides status updates across the four pillars but also offers insights from case studies in national implementation, analysis of recent disasters such as the floods in post-conflict Libya, and recommendations to accelerate progress.
The report benefits from a wide range of data sources and contributors, including key partners like the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), who serve as respective pillar leads.
We hope the findings of this report will inform ongoing capacity development efforts and the adaptation, loss and damage, and finance deliberations of COP29 in Azerbaijan. More importantly, we hope it mobilizes those on the sidelines to become full-fledged partners in achieving universal early warning protection. This includes the private sector, which is a critical source of finance and expertise. We need all hands on deck to save lives, protect livelihoods, and build resilience.