The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) first State of the Climate in the Arab Region report highlights the severe pressures the region faces from rising temperatures and extreme weather. In 2024, several Arab countries recorded temperatures above 50°C, with average regional temperatures 1.08°C higher than the 1991–2020 baseline. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that intense and prolonged heatwaves are pushing societies to their limits, affecting human health, ecosystems, and economies, while droughts and extreme rainfall events are becoming increasingly frequent and destructive.
The report shows that climate-related disasters in the Arab region have increased by 83% between 1980–1999 and 2000–2019. In 2024, the region experienced worsening droughts, particularly in western North Africa where six consecutive rainy seasons failed, while countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE suffered extreme rainfall and flash floods. These weather shocks are exacerbating the challenges posed by conflict, rapid population growth, urbanization, and fragile economies, making communities more vulnerable.
Daily life across the Arab region is increasingly imperiled. Urban centers face risks to energy supply, transport networks, and public health, particularly for outdoor workers and residents in informal housing. In rural areas, prolonged droughts are affecting food production and creating difficult trade-offs between agriculture, domestic water use, and environmental protection. WMO experts stress that extreme heat is just one of many climate threats, with dust storms, severe flooding, and other events impacting millions and causing economic losses, displacement, and strain on emergency response systems.
Despite the challenges, the WMO report notes areas of progress. Nearly 60% of Arab countries now have multi-hazard early warning systems, and many are investing strategically in water security and adaptation measures. However, experts warn that only swift, sustained, and coordinated action will prevent the extreme conditions seen in 2024 from becoming the new normal. Rising heat, water scarcity, and growing populations are amplifying vulnerabilities, threatening development goals, and placing enormous pressure on governments to maintain essential services.
The report, produced in partnership with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia and the League of Arab States, provides the first comprehensive climate assessment dedicated to the Arab region. It aims to offer actionable, science-based information to support decision-makers in a water-scarce region increasingly on the frontlines of climate change.
