Focus on Strengthening Early Warning Systems and Technology Integration, the Typhoon Committee (TC), an intergovernmental body under the joint auspices of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), convened the 19^th Integrated Workshop at the Lin-gang Center, Shanghai, China, from 19 to 22 November 2024. The event, themed “Strengthening the Value Chain within the UN EW4All Framework for the Typhoon Committee Region,” was held alongside the Asia-Pacific Typhoon Collaborative Research Center (AP-TCRC) Forum, themed “Embracing New Technologies for Achieving Early Warnings for All.”

The event gathered representatives from ESCAP, WMO, Typhoon Committee Secretariat, AP-TCRC, and 10 of the 14 Members of the Typhoon Committee, alongside observers from the Shanghai Municipal Government, academic institutions, and international organizations. Distinguished attendees included the Honorable Zhang Xiaohong, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, and Mr. Bi Baogui, Deputy Administrator of CMA, who delivered the opening address.

The Typhoon Committee's mission is to integrate and enhance regional (meteorological, hydrological, and disaster risk reduction) activities of Members within international frameworks to reduce the loss of lives and minimize social, economic, and environmental impacts by typhoon-related disasters. Discussions during the four-day event explored innovations and collaboration opportunities to enhance early warning systems, ensuring communities are better prepared for typhoons and related hazards.

With the AP-TCRC forum theme “Embracing New Technologies for Achieving Early Warnings for All,” the workshop focused on five key areas: driving industrial advancement through scientific and technological innovation, fostering international collaboration within the “Belt and Road” initiative, amplifying the global impact of China's typhoon research, developing a science and technology ecosystem for openness and innovation, and advancing the concept of a shared future for humanity. Experts explored ways to enhance the precision and efficiency of typhoon early warnings with new technologies, stimulate technological innovation in global disaster prevention and mitigation, and support the development of a community with a shared future.

Additionally, a Typhoon Committee Integrated Workshop was convened on “Strengthening the Value Chain within the UN EW4All Framework for the Typhoon Committee Region.”

At the workshop, experts from around the globe took turns showcasing their latest breakthroughs in typhoon monitoring and early warning systems, with a particular emphasis on how climate change influences these storms. Among the presentations, the Shanghai Meteorological Service highlighted advancements in the field, including the urban multi-hazard early warning toolbox and the “Overhead Weather Risk” series, which focused on safety risks associated with working at height. These tools leveraged smart meteorological systems to visualize typhoon warnings, aiding in urban management and providing real-time monitoring for various urban operations scenarios.

Additionally, the AP-TCRC unveiled its latest findings in international typhoon observation, the development of an intelligent typhoon simulator, and interdisciplinary cross-typhoon early warning technology. Engaged experts and scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on the application of emerging intelligent technologies in typhoon early warning systems, the construction of resilient cities, regional cooperation, and the establishment of cross-regional synergy mechanisms. They also explored the integration of big data and artificial intelligence, which are poised to advance the global typhoon warning system, offer valuable insights for international typhoon disaster prevention and mitigation, and contribute to the creation of a safer, more sustainable world.

The workshop introduced innovative concepts on integrating intelligent monitoring, big data analytics, and early warning systems. It encouraged the development of data-sharing and technology exchange platforms among its members, bolstered cooperation initiatives within the “Belt and Road” framework, and fostered technical assistance and capacity building. The event showcased China's cutting-edge technological innovations in typhoon early warning, thereby boosting its global influence. It also emphasized the integration of early warning technologies with related industries, offering a fresh boost to industrial advancement.

By focusing on enhancing the value chain within the UN EW4All framework for the typhoon committee region, the workshop concentrated on the application of emerging technologies in typhoon warning systems and the deepening of international cooperation mechanisms.

It's widely recognized that extreme typhoon disasters have been hitting various parts of the world with increasing frequency in recent years, particularly the Asia-Pacific coastal region. This trend has heightened the global challenge of typhoon prevention and mitigation, presenting countries with new and shared obstacles in building their resilience to typhoon impacts. Over 100 international experts convened to discuss the evolving characteristics of typhoon hazards in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, advancements in observation and forecasting technologies, and innovative strategies for managing typhoon risks across different nations. After four days of heated discussions, the experts reached a consensus on typhoon prevention and mitigation, and jointly put forward the “Shanghai Initiative”, which calls for bolstering international scientific and technological collaboration, stepping up international experiments and data sharing, and ramping up the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence. The goal is to collectively address the escalating threats posed by typhoons and their potential disasters in the Asia-Pacific region.