Some 20 representatives of the Hydrometeorology Service of Turkmenistan discussed the application of modern information technologies in early warning systems during an OSCE-organized seminar held on 3 September 2026 in Ashgabat.
The seminar was delivered by experts from MeteoSwiss, the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology of Switzerland, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. The seminar was co-organized with the valuable support of the 2026 OSCE Swiss Chairpersonship, which helped facilitate co-operation and establish relevant contacts with MeteoSwiss.
The experts elaborated on the integration of measurement data, satellite data and post-processed extended-range weather forecasts for drought monitoring. Special emphasis was placed on the national context, with participants learning about the activities of the Swiss Steering Committee on Intervention in Natural Hazards (LAINAT) and Switzerland's Multi-Hazard Early Warning System.
Referring to the European context, the experts stressed the role of redistributors within the framework of the European Multi-Service Meteorological Awareness (EMMA) Programme, a core initiative managed by EUMETNET, the network of European National Meteorological Services.
"Early warning is much more than technology; it is about prevention, resilience and security," said William Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, in his opening speech.
"By turning reliable climate information into timely and actionable knowledge, we can better anticipate hazards, protect communities and strengthen stability across our region."
The seminar introduced participants to impact-based forecasting (IBF) and an automated IBF tool. Discussions centred on identifying risk hotspots through sand and dust monitoring, drought forecasting and climate projections for extreme temperatures.
The seminar is part of the Centre's efforts to strengthen co-operation in the areas of climate change, environmental good governance and environmental security.
