200 - Typhoon Committee

TCAR
Foreword
2007
Foreword
The ESCAP/WMO Typhoon
Committee has been
established for more than
four decades and enters its
forty-first year of existence
jointly sponsored by the
United Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Asia and
Pacific (ESCAP) and the World
Meteorological Organization
(WMO), and has made excellent
progress in various aspects through close co-operation
among Members.
The ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee Annual Review
(TCAR) in its twenty-fourth issue, almost a quarter of
a century, is already a legacy publication in the field
of meteorology, hydrology, disaster prevention and
preparedness, training and research from Members in
Asia/Pacific area.
Considering the colossal social and economic impacts of
the global warming/climate change, I am therefore very
pleased at the work in different Working Groups of the
Typhoon Committee which took working on the impacts
of the climate change especially in regard to the activity
of tropical cyclones and in suggesting appropriate
actions.
Macao, China is the smallest Member, in terms of land
area and population, among its fourteen Members but
is big in aspirations. Since becoming Member in 1992,
Macauo, China has worked together with all Members
and already hosted three annual sessions in sixteen
years of time-span; this shows the absolute will to
cooperate with Members of Typhoon Committee to
achieve a win-win situation. Furthermore, 13 February
2007 was a remarkable date for Macao, China as it got
the confidence of Members of Typhoon Committee
to relocate the Secretariat from Manila to Macao and
contribute financial support for its operation.
Here, I wish to take the opportunity to place on record
on behalf of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee my
appreciation and thanks of the efforts of Macao, China
through the years. I would also like to urge Members to
forge stronger and closer links in the protection of lives
and property.
It has been my great honor to serve as Chairman of
the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee for 2007-2008. I
wish to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to all
Members for their support and confidence.
On behalf of the Typhoon Committee, I wish to express
my sincere thanks to Dr. Olavo Valente Francisco
Rasquinho, Secretary of the Typhoon Committee, for
the service of the Chief Editor and for undertaking the
preparation of the first issue in a format in line with the
seven Key Result Areas adopted by Typhoon Committee.
Expressions of gratitude are also due to the National
Editors for their co-operation in bringing forth an
excellent Review.
Dr. Fong Soi Kun
Chairman
Typhoon Committee
(2007-2008)
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