HKUST Launches UN-Backed International Coordination Office for Urban Climate Resilience

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today officially launched the International Coordination Office for Urban-PREDICT, a flagship initiative of the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization (WMO), cementing its position as a global leader in urban climate science. The inauguration ceremony, attended by prominent international scientists, policymakers, and industry experts, was followed by the Urban Climate Prediction and Resilience Roundtable, marking a momentous step in global efforts to address urban climate risks through cutting-edge science and cross-sector collaboration.

A Global Hub for Urban Climate Science
Cities worldwide are facing escalating risks from extreme heat, flooding, storms, and deteriorating air quality. In response, the Urban-PREDICT project—short for Predictions, Risk Assessments, Early Warnings, Data Integration, Inclusive Governance, Community Awareness, and Transformative Actions—has been launched under WMO's World Weather Research Program (WWRP) to help cities better anticipate and manage these growing threats.

Co-led by Prof. Fei CHEN, Associate Head and Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR) at HKUST, the initiative brings together scientists from six continents to develop the next-generation urban-scale hazard prediction and early warning systems. The newly established International Coordination Office (ICO), housed at the HKUST Atmospheric Research Center, will serve as the project's global hub, coordinating international research, city demonstration projects, and cross-sector partnerships.

As the host institution, HKUST will play a pioneering role in translating research into impact, serving as a bridge between international expertise and real-world city needs. Prof. Alexis LAU, Head of ENVR and Director of the ICO, stated: "The establishment of the ICO at HKUST underscores our research excellence and leadership in sustainability. Hong Kong, with its acute urban challenges such as sudden torrential rain, heat islands, and worsening air quality issues, highlights the urgent need for resilience urban models. Our mission is to transform cutting-edge research into tangible impact: enabling cities to plan smarter, protect lives, and build lasting resilience against climate change."

Prof. Fei Chen outlined the project's technical scope: "Urban-PREDICT is built on four core pillars: high-resolution modelling, AI-driven prediction, effective early-warning communication, and community preparedness. Leveraging HKUST's expertise in AI and climate science, we aim to bridge scientific innovation with societal needs—delivering precise, actionable, and accessible early warnings to those most vulnerable."

Connecting Global Science to Local Solutions
Dr. Estelle de CONING, Chief of the WWRP at WMO, commended the collaboration: "This is a significant leap forward in transforming how cities anticipate and respond to weather impacts—bringing science closer to society. Supported by HKUST's world-class research environment and the ICO in Hong Kong, Urban-PREDICT will strengthen global collaboration in urban weather prediction, enabling cities to better anticipate and manage weather-related risks through integrated research and innovation."

Mr. Arthur LEE, Commissioner for Climate Change of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, HKSAR Government, also remarked, “We are committed to leading the way in climate action and resilience. These efforts require not just governmental action but a collective response from all sectors of society.  The inauguration of the Urban-PREDICT International Coordination Office marks a pivotal step forward in our shared journey toward a sustainable future.”

Roundtable Charts Course from Science to Societal Impact
Serving as a prelude to HKUST's 35th-anniversary celebrations, the Urban Climate Prediction and Resilience Roundtable featured keynote addresses by Prof. Fei Chen and Prof. Soledad FERRARI, Co-Chairs of the Urban-PREDICT Project, who outlined the project's scientific roadmap and its focus on linking climate action with societal impact.

Two high-level panel discussions, moderated by Prof. Alexis Lau and Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist at HKUST's Institute for the Environment, engaged a diverse group of experts, including Prof. SHUN Chi-Ming, former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory; scientists from the WMO-WWRP; government officials from the Drainage Services Department and Civil Engineering and Development Department; and representatives from the Hong Kong Red Cross, Business Environment Council, and The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers.

The panels explored science-based early warnings for urban hazards, strategies to protect vulnerable communities, and the critical roles of the insurance and business sectors in building systemic resilience.

With the ICO now officially launched, HKUST and its global partners are poised to translate urban climate science into tangible actions. By integrating ultra-high-resolution weather forecasting, AI, and social-science insights, Urban-PREDICT aims to provide more accurate and actionable information to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure, forging a more resilient future for cities worldwide.