2024, the hottest year on record in the Arab region ; +1,08°C above the 1991-2020 average (WMO report)

The average temperature in the Arab region (comprises 22 countries) in 2024 was 1,08°C above the 1991-2020 average, making it the hottest year on record, the World Meteorological organization (WMO) said on 04/12/2025.

The first State of the climate dedicated to this highly vulnerable region shows that "temperatures are rising at twice the global average with intense heatwaves that are pushing societies to the limits", WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saul said.

According to the WMO, "the frequency and severity of extreme weather and climate events have increased significantly, with an 83% rise in recorded disasters between 1980-1999 and 2000-2019". In 2024, these events affected "nearly 3.77 million people (approximately 1% of the Arab population), mainly from heatwaves and floods and resulted in more than 300 deaths".

In North Africa and the Near East, heatwaves have become longer and more intense, and the droughts have worsened. Especially Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia experienced six consecutive failed rainy seasons. On the other side, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab…