Opening Ceremony of the 2025 International Summer School on Climate Change and Related Risks Held at Fudan University

On June 30, 2025, the International Summer School on Climate Change and Related Risks was inaugurated at Fudan University’s Jiangwan Campus. This year’s theme, “Human Activity and Weather/Climate Extremes and Its Impacts,” highlighted growing global concern over the influence of human activity on extreme events. Nearly 80 participants from 16 countries joined the program. At the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered in succession by Professor Lei Zhou, Vice President of Fudan University; Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the WMO; Dr. Zhenlin Chen, Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration; Mr. Marco Toscano–Rivalta, Head of the UNDRR Asia-Pacific Office; and Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Co-Chair of MAP-AQ.

Prof. Celeste Saulo’s video message on the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 International Summer School on Climate Change and Related Risks Held

Professor Celeste Saulo emphasized in her video the crucial role of the younger generation in global climate governance. She encouraged all participants to actively engage, ask questions, and foster international cooperation. “WMO is proud to have a MoU with Fudan University. We are delighted to support this initiative through our Science and Innovation department, including education and training activities.” said Professor Celeste Saulo. She expressed hope that the program would help raise youth awareness, deepen their understanding, and encourage greater engagement in addressing climate challenges.

Dr. Zhenlin Chen, Administrator of China Meteorological Administration (CMA)

Dr. Zhenlin Chen emphasized that the China Meteorological Administration is committed to improving the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts and is working closely with Fudan University and other related institutions to better serve national development and public well-being. He also expressed the Administration’s support for the WMO Youth Initiative, highlighting the important role of young people in advancing the future of meteorology.

Dr. Véronique Bouchet, Director of the Science and Innovation Department of the WMO

Subsequently, Dr. Véronique Bouchet, Director of the Science and Innovation Department of the WMO; Professor Wang Guihua, Chair of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at Fudan University; and Professor Tang Xu, Executive Director of the Fudan IRDR International Centre of Excellence, introduced the key organizing institutions. These included the WMO’s Science and Innovation Department and its GAW Programme, the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Institute for Atmospheric Sciences at Fudan University, the MAP-AQ Asia Regional Office, and the Fudan IRDR International Centre of Excellence. Their introductions provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the international context and academic foundation supporting this program.

Professor Wang Guihua, Chair of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at Fudan University

Professor Tang Xu, Executive Director of the Fudan IRDR International Centre of Excellence

Yongxiang Zhang from the National Climate Center

This year marks the second edition of the Summer School, which brings ten internationally renowned scholars to Shanghai to deliver lectures. Over the next three weeks, participants will engage in four core academic modules: (1) Weather and climate extremes under global warming, (2) Impacts of human activity, (3) Interactions among land, ocean, and atmosphere, and (4) Risk interconnectivity, mitigation, and adaptation. The program combines thematic seminars, group discussions, field visits—including to the Yangtze River Estuary Wetlands to explore climate and atmospheric environmental changes—and hands-on assignments, offering students a rich, interdisciplinary, and multi-dimensional learning experience.