The 20th Regional Workshop on Satellite Applications officially commenced today, Sunday, in Dhofar Governorate. The event is organized by the Civil Aviation Authority through the Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications – Muscat, in collaboration with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and will run for five days, from September 14 to 18, 2025.

The workshop, attended by 20 experts from nine regional countries, aims to advance the use of satellite data and imagery in meteorological applications, including monitoring clouds, thunderstorms, dust, and other weather phenomena, with a particular focus on third generation Meteosat satellite applications.

It also seeks to enhance the capabilities of meteorologists and researchers in weather, climate, and hydrology across the region, promote the exchange of expertise among participating countries, and address key challenges in collaboration with EUMETSAT specialists. The program features scientific lectures, discussion sessions, and hands-on workshops led by experts from the Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications, Muscat.

During the opening ceremony, Ahmed bin Salem Ghawas, Director of the Meteorology Department in Dhofar Governorate, emphasized that hosting the 20th workshop in Dhofar reflects the Civil Aviation Authority’s commitment to strengthening the skills of regional meteorologists and reinforcing Oman’s role as a regional training hub.

Mark Heigen, representing EUMETSAT, praised the collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications in Muscat and welcomed the launch of the workshop. He highlighted that the rapid advancements in satellite technology necessitate advanced training programs to ensure optimal utilization of these technologies.

The Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications in Muscat is one of the global centers accredited by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). It is responsible for training professionals in the field from across the region and for developing national and regional capacities in the use of satellite data and imagery to support meteorology and climate services.

Established in 2006 as the seventh center of its kind worldwide, the Centre serves as a regional platform for cooperation and knowledge exchange. Since its inception, it has hosted numerous training programs benefiting a large number of specialists from the Middle East and North Africa.