At the WSIS Forum in Geneva, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) was awarded the 2025 WSIS prize for its "Rapid, accurate and secure production, dissemination and communication of early warning for meteorological disaster" project. Selected from 973 submissions, the initiative took home the award in the ICT Applications in E-environment category, joining 18 other outstanding projects worldwide.
Meta-data feeds, AI algorithms and secure messaging channels power the system, delivering hyperlocal alerts in seconds. CAICT President Yu Xiaohui highlighted how the project aligns with the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative, stressing that timely information can turn the tide in disaster response and save lives.
WSIS, a multi-stakeholder UN process on digital governance, champions sustainable development through ICTs. Co-hosted by the International Telecommunication Union and the Swiss Confederation, this year’s forum brought together government, industry and civil society from more than 150 countries and regions to tackle the digital divide and emerging tech trends.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and changemakers, the win reinforces the critical role of data-driven insights in building climate resilience. As digital nomads and travelers cross continents, tools like these could soon integrate into apps, offering near-real-time storm alerts on smartphones. Thought leaders are calling this a milestone in e-environment solutions, pointing to potential expansions in flood forecasting, wildfire detection and beyond.
What innovations do you see on the horizon for early-warning systems? Join the conversation and share your ideas on how ICT can empower communities to stay one step ahead of nature’s surprises.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
