Observatory leads changes to the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee

15 February 2012

Mr Shun Chi-ming, Director of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), was elected Vice-chairperson of the 44th Session of the United Nations ESCAP1 / World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Typhoon Committee held at Hangzhou from 6 to 11 February 2012. Ms Jiao Mei-yan, Deputy Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), host of the Session, was elected the Chairperson. Supported by CMA, Mr Shun chaired the meetings for most of the agenda items of the Session and introduced a number of changes to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in conducting the meetings. The Session also agreed to take forward a number of proposals made by CMA and HKO to study further improvements of the future governance and operations of the Committee.

More than 100 meteorological, hydrological and disaster reduction experts from 11 countries and territories in the Asia/Pacific area attended the Session to review the work progress and discuss the planning and implementation of measures required for minimizing the loss of life and damages caused by tropical cyclones. The Observatory contributed in providing expert support to the Committee, including Mr Lai Sau-tak, Acting Assistant Director, chairing its Training and Research Coordination Group, and Dr Lee Tsz-cheung serving as a key member in the assessment of the impact of climate change on tropical cyclones in the region.

The ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee is one of the five regional bodies of the WMO to coordinate matters related to the operations of tropical cyclone warnings, including the sharing of responsibilities for the warning services, their infrastructures, and new technological and scientific developments. Currently, it is composed of 14 Members in the Asia/Pacific region including Hong Kong, China.

Notes:

1. ESCAP stands for Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations.

Mr Shun (second from the right), chairing a meeting at the 44th Session of the Typhoon Committee.

Participants sharing views during the Technical Conference of the Session.