"The Chinese meteorological system is among the best I've seen in all my visits," Ms. Ko Barrett, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), lauded China's commitment to early warning technologies and cross-border collaboration in an exclusive interview with GDToday during her visit to Guangdong Province.

Barrett, who has toured multiple cities in China, highlighted the nation's "remarkable" focus on lifesaving early warning systems. "They get information out in a timely way so that people can understand what threats may be coming and prepare, and possibly evacuate if the threat is severe," she noted.

She praised the seamless cooperation between the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and provincial authorities, underscoring their joint efforts in risk reduction and public safety. At the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) branch of the World Meteorological Center (WMC) Beijing, Barrett witnessed cutting-edge innovations, including interactive holograms and regional forecasting tools.

"When people come here to be trained, they see the possibilities of the future, just the technology," she remarked. The center's integration of advanced data visualization and public outreach, she explained, bridges the gap between complex meteorological data and actionable public information, ultimately saving lives.

Equally significant, Barrett added, is China's commitment to training meteorologists worldwide at the GBA branch of WMC Beijing—a critical step toward achieving the United Nations' goal of providing universal early warning coverage by 2027.

The GBA branch's role in global meteorological collaboration came into sharp focus during Barrett's visit. It has mainly provided technical support and assurance to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and Portuguese-speaking countries and regions since its establishment in November 2023. Having hosted three international training programs for 81 participants from over 30 countries as of December 2024, the facility exemplifies China's leadership in knowledge-sharing.

"The technologies are available here, along with the generosity of the Chinese government and the commitment to training so many people in this amazing facility. It's really a shining light in the range of things we're trying to do," Barrett said, linking these efforts directly to the WMO's mission. She emphasized that such initiatives empower nations with limited resources to leverage China's technological advancements for localized climate solutions.

When asked about the possibilities for AI in improving forecasts and assessing risks, Barrett was excited about the potential. "China has not only amazing capabilities in this regard, but also their generosity to bring along other countries that may not have the resources and time to do intensive forecasting," she said. "AI is a key area for us to focus on, as it can help us provide better forecasts through the cooperation of centers around the world."

"I'm very inspired by what's happening here. I can support this kind of effort when I go back to Geneva," she concluded.