Abu Dhabi: The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) is set to host the Regional Conference (RECO) of the WMO’s Regional Association II (Asia) in Abu Dhabi from March 13–16, 2023.
RECO aims to provide a forum for the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of RA II to address issues and challenges, promote regional cooperation, and strengthen partnerships for the implementation of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) resolutions and decisions in view of regional priorities.
RECO will kick off with a one-day high-level session focusing on the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative. The session will be addressed by Mr. Petri Taalas, WMO Secretary General, Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the NCM, and the President of the Regional Association II (Asia), with the participation of the Ambassadors of RA II Asia’s 35 member countries.
The Regional Conference of RA II (Asia) is a crucial platform to discuss our collective efforts to enhance the region’s early warning systems and improve resilience in the face of emerging weather and climate-related hazards. We are confident that the outcomes will contribute to strengthening the collaboration among NMHS and enhance their capacities to provide improved and more timely weather and develop effective and coordinated disaster response plans.
Dr. Mandous shared.
“Hosting this regional event demonstrates NCM’s prominent role in promoting national and regional capacity development, data exchange, and research collaboration to develop more accurate and reliable weather forecasting models. By working together across borders, we aim to develop more effective and comprehensive strategies for mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. This will ultimately improve the ability and preparedness of our countries to predict and respond to severe weather events and reduce their impact on lives, livelihoods, and properties,” Dr. Mandous added.
The conference will further feature a hybrid format with 150 participants, including the Permanent Representatives of WMO Members from Asia and key representatives of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
The conference will further include sessions to cover technical matters and different components of early warning systems, infrastructure, and meteorological and hydrological services. Furthermore, the RA II Research Forum will convene on the last day of the event.
At the end of the conference, a high-level statement of the participants will be released on the UN initiative ‘Early warning for All’ for the implementation of climate adaptation. The statement will commend the launch of the Executive Action Plan for the ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative announced during COP 27 and put forward its recommendations in support of the initiative.