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APDIM Director Participated in the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms Event Organized by the Research Institute of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science

Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management

Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, 12 July 2023

The Director of the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), Ms. Letizia Rossano, attended the "Sand and Dust Storms Early Warning for Everyone" event on the occasion of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms. Organized by the Research Institute of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science of the Iran Meteorological Organization (IRIMO), the event focused on addressing the challenges posed by sand and dust storms and exploring effective solutions.

Key topics of discussion included the development of an early warning system and mobile phone application for sand and dust storms, as well as the adverse effects of these storms on air pollution, climate change, and various sectors of the economy.

APDIM Director highlighted APDIM’s efforts in assessing sand and dust storm risks in Asia and the Pacific, as well as the Regional Plan of Action on Sand and Dust Storms in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP/78/12/Add.1) endorsed by ESCAP member states of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The plan will be further discussed at the eight sessions of the ESCAP DRR Committee side event on 24 and 25 July 2023 in Bangkok and online.

As sand and dust storms continue to pose a growing problem worldwide, this event served as an important platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration to mitigate the impacts of these storms.