International Coordination Office for WWRP Urban-PREDICT
The International Coordination Office (ICO) for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) World Weather Research Programme (WWRP) Urban-PREDICT Project has been established to support the global coordination and implementation of this international initiative addressing escalating urban risks from extreme heat, flooding, storms, and deteriorating air quality.
Hosted at the IAS-Atmospheric Research Center of HKUST, the ICO serves as the project’s global hub, coordinating international research collaboration, city-scale demonstration activities, and cross-sector partnerships. Its responsibilities include project management, international coordination, strategic communication and outreach, and operational support, ensuring alignment with WMO priorities and facilitating collaboration across geographic and institutional boundaries.
As the host institution, we provide a strategic platform for linking global scientific expertise with real-world urban challenges, particularly in rapidly urbanizing and climate-vulnerable regions. Through the ICO, Urban-PREDICT integrates high-resolution modelling, AI-enabled prediction, effective early-warning communication, and community preparedness, with the objective of translating scientific advances into actionable information and societal impact.
Urban-PREDICT Website
Launch of the WWRP Urban-PREDICT ICO and Urban Climate Prediction and Resilience Roundtable
From 3 to 5 November 2025, Hong Kong hosted 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) was officially launched on 6 November 2025 at HKUST, followed by the inaugural Urban Climate Prediction and Resilience Roundtable.
This event was 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.
Press Release: HKUST Launches UN-Backed International Coordination Office for Urban Climate Resilience Driving Global Collaboration to Combat Rising Climate Threats in Cities