Predicting for Urban Resilience - A Global Collaboration: Launch of the WWRP Urban-PREDICT International Coordination Office (ICO) and Urban Climate Prediction and Resilience Roundtable

Discover the Future of Urban Climate Resilience

As climate change intensifies, cities around the world — particularly in Asia, where population densities are highest — face rising risks from extreme heat, intense rainfall, flooding, storm surges, and deteriorating air quality. Urban areas concentrate people, infrastructure, and critical services, making them especially vulnerable to climate-related hazards — but also uniquely positioned to lead in resilience-building and innovation.

To respond to these challenges, the United Nation’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has launched Urban-PREDICT, one flagship international project under its World Weather Research Programme (WWRP). The project brings together international expertise in urban climate science, weather forecasting, infrastructure planning, and risk communication to develop the next generation of urban-scale weather and climate prediction systems. These systems aim to support multi-hazard early warning, strengthen local decision-making, and build more climate-resilient cities through inclusive, science-based approaches.

A Global Collaboration Begins in Hong Kong

From 3 to 5 November 2025, Hong Kong will host the Second meeting of the Urban-PREDICT Science Steering Group, marking the global launch of the project’s scientific agenda and coordination platform. This foundational meeting will set the direction for international collaboration, testbed city partnerships, and applied research under Urban-PREDICT.

To mark this occasion and open the project to a wider audience, the Urban-PREDICT International Coordination Office (ICO) will be officially launched on 6 November 2025 at HKUST, followed by the inaugural Urban Climate Prediction and Resilience Roundtable.

This event is the first public opportunity to engage directly with the scientific and social science leaders shaping Urban-PREDICT. It will introduce the project’s research plan, explore its potential applications, and invite cross-sector collaboration — spanning government, academia, business, civil society, and international partners.

What to Expect at the Roundtable

The roundtable features two high-level panel sessions focused on both the science and the real-world impact of urban prediction systems.

• The first session will explore how cutting-edge science, including high-resolution modeling and AI, can be integrated into early warning systems, with insights from WMO experts, the Urban-PREDICT science team, and local authorities responsible for infrastructure and hazard management.
• The second session will shift to implementation and social impact, examining how urban risks affect vulnerable communities, what support systems are needed, and how the private sector and financial institutions can turn climate risk into an opportunity for innovation and sustainable investment.

This is a rare opportunity to hear from both international experts and Hong Kong stakeholders about the future of urban climate resilience — and how we can bridge science and policy to drive action on the ground.

Why Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to contribute to and benefit from this global effort. As a highly urbanized, climate-exposed city, it faces growing challenges from extreme weather — but also holds valuable experience in risk management, innovation, and cross-sector coordination.

Moreover, as a leading international financial center, Hong Kong can play a pivotal role in mobilizing green and sustainable finance, supporting adaptation investment, and accelerating the region’s low-carbon, climate-resilient transition.

Be Part of the Conversation

Whether you work in research, policy, finance, infrastructure, or community engagement, this event is your chance to connect with a global initiative transforming how cities anticipate and adapt to climate extremes. It offers a platform to learn, share, and explore how Hong Kong, and your sector, can help shape a more resilient urban future through Urban-PREDICT.

This is also a rare opportunity for Hong Kong’s business and professional community, especially multinational companies and those driving or expanding in the green transition, to hear directly from WMO experts shaping resilience strategies in cities worldwide. Gain early insight into what will define urban climate policy, risk management, and investment priorities, and position your organization at the forefront of global climate innovation and opportunity.

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