According to the "State of the Climate in the Arab Region 2024" report, 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded in the Arab region, with an unprecedented acceleration in warming trends over recent decades. Launched during an official virtual ceremony on 4 December, the report focuses specifically on the Arab region and serves as a key tool for understanding the rapidly accelerating climate changes in an area considered among the most vulnerable to extreme weather events worldwide.
Prepared by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in collaboration with ESCWA and the League of Arab States (LAS), and supported by Saudi Arabia, the report shows that the region has experienced more intense heatwaves and droughts, alongside heavy rainfall and extreme storms, heightening climate-related risks.
The report highlights that these climate threats intersect with ongoing social and economic challenges, including rapid urbanization, conflicts, poverty, and population growth, making resilience-building and investment in risk reduction and water security an urgent priority.
"Strengthening climate knowledge in the region not only supports national and regional efforts, but also reinforces Arab countries' contributions to global initiatives on climate adaptation and mitigation, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement," ESCWA Deputy Executive Secretary Tarek Alami stressed in his statement.
The report also outlines regional efforts to address severe water stress, such as expanded desalination, wastewater reuse, dam construction, and improvements irrigation networks. It includes the latest regional climate projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Finally, the report calls for stronger regional and international cooperation, effective early warning systems, and enhanced knowledge infrastructure to support decision makers. It underscores the critical role of scientific research and climate modelling in shaping future strategies and adaptation plans tailored to the region's needs.
