Marking the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS), the SDS-WAS GCC Node, in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), ESCWA, and global stakeholders, hosted the online seminar Advancing Science and Solutions: Sand and Dust Storms in the Middle East. The event united experts to address regional SDS challenges through innovation, research, and cross-border collaboration. 

 

Chaired by Mr. Jumaan Al-Qahtani (SDS-WAS GCC Node), the webinar opened with remarks from Dr. Sara Basart (WMO) and Dr. Daniel Tong (Global SDS-WAS Steering Committee), stressing the need for integrated strategies. 

 

Seven invited presentations showcased groundbreaking work. Dr. Feras Ziadat (FAO) outlined the UN Coalition’s global SDS initiatives, while Dr. Rami Alfaraa (QEERI, HBKU) examined urban dust impacts on health and climate. Dr. Ali Al-Hemoud (Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research) detailed SDS hazards and mitigation frameworks, and Dr. Tareq Hussein (University of Helsinki) shared insights from long-term SDS classification in Amman. 

 

Dr. Ali Darvishi (University of Tehran) emphasized land dynamics analysis for dust hotspot identification, while Mr. Ali Küçümen (Ministry of Environment, Türkiye) presented a comprehensive SDS assessment methodology. Dr. Reem Alshammari (KACST, Saudi Arabia) concluded with pioneering research on AI-driven SDS prediction models using deep learning. 

 

Discussions underscored the importance of regional data-sharing, policy integration, and technological innovation to combat SDS impacts. Closing remarks reinforced commitments to strengthen partnerships, align with UN sustainability goals, and translate science into actionable solutions. 

 

The event highlighted the Middle East’s leadership in SDS resilience, paving the way for collaborative frameworks to safeguard communities and ecosystems.