Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (February 26, 2024) – The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center, is proud to announce the inaugural International Conference on Sand and Dust Storms, scheduled for March 4-6, 2024, in Riyadh.
This pivotal event serves as a global platform to address the escalating challenge posed by dust and sand storms. It is anticipated to draw over 200 renowned researchers, experts, and policymakers from across the globe. The conference aims to foster knowledge exchange, encourage international collaboration, and identify effective strategies to combat these environmental hazards.
The conference agenda encompasses a comprehensive range of critical topics, including:
Source Identification and Formation Mechanisms: Examining the origins of dust particles and comprehending the factors contributing to their generation.
Dust-Climate Dynamics: Investigating the intricate relationship between dust storms and climatic patterns, including potential feedback loops.
Health Impacts and Mitigation Strategies: Evaluating the severe health consequences of dust storms, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, and exploring strategies to minimize their impact.
Monitoring and Predictive Modeling Advancements: Discussing advancements in monitoring dust storms and developing accurate predictive models for early warning and preparedness measures.
Multifaceted Consequences: Examining the broad-ranging impacts of dust storms on various sectors, including agriculture, transportation, energy production, and ecosystems.
The conference underscores the pressing need for global cooperation in addressing the multifaceted challenge of dust and sand storms. These storms have significant adverse effects on the environment, public health, and economic activities, disrupting solar energy production, degrading air quality, altering weather patterns, and disrupting biogeochemical cycles.
The Middle East, with its vast arid and semi-arid landscapes, is a major source of dust particles. The region has witnessed an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of dust storms in recent years, attributed to factors like land-use changes and vegetation cover degradation. This phenomenon necessitates comprehensive research to fully understand its far-reaching consequences.
The International Conference on Sand and Dust Storms represents a significant step forward in international collaboration to tackle this pressing global issue. By facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders, the conference paves the way for a more coordinated and effective approach to mitigating the negative impacts of dust and sand storms. This collaborative effort holds the potential to contribute significantly to global environmental sustainability and public well-being.
