Regional Association II (ASIA) - E-Library - WMO

14 ABRIDGED FINAL REPORT OF THE THIRTEENTH SESSION OF RA II5.1.5 The Association noted with satisfaction thatWMO had actively participated in those meetings.According to the preliminary distribution of thematicareas, WMO would co-chair with the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) the WorkingGroup on Reducing Risk for Adaptation to ClimateChange. The Association urged Members to promotethe representation of NMHSs for disaster reductionactivities at national level; enhance early warningdelivery activities to influence visibility in the Region;and identify areas of partnership and activeinvolvement, especially in connection withpreparations for the WCDR, at national level.APEC Climate Network meeting5.1.6 The Association was informed that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ClimateNetwork (APCN) meetings had been held in Jeju,Republic of Korea, from 7 to 10 October 2003 and inBusan, Republic of Korea, from 9 to 12 November2004. The Association noted that WMO had beenrepresented at the Conference and its representativehad delivered a keynote lecture on climate activities.The Association noted that the establishment of theAPEC Climate Center (APCC) in the Republic ofKorea had been supported at the twenty-seventhAPEC Industrial Science and Technology WorkingGroup Meeting held in Singapore from 14 to 15September 2004, and that the APCC would beformally established in 2005. The Association alsonoted that some Members had expressed theirconcerns over activities with non-Member countriesof WMO.International Conference on High-Impact Weatherand Climate5.1.7 The Association noted that the InternationalConference on High-Impact Weather and Climatehad been held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 21 to25 March 2004. WMO had been a co-sponsor of theConference and had been represented at the event.During the Conference, KMA had celebrated the100 th anniversary of modern meteorology in Korea.United Nations Convention to CombatDesertification5.1.8 The Association expressed its appreciationto the Secretary -General for his continued support tothe United Nations Convention to CombatDesertification (UNCCD) activities and theConvention Secretariat and for the active participationof WMO at the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) to the Convention. It noted with satisfaction thatMembers had been informed of the major decisionstaken at COP-6.5.1.9 The Association noted the emphasis placedby COP-6 on case studies to demonstrate the use oftraditional knowledge to combat drought anddesertification and on early warning systems andurged Members to examine the possibility ofundertaking such case studies with appropriateinstitutions in their countries.Convention on Biological Diversity5.1.10 The Association expressed its appreciationto the Secretary-General for the report on the ninthsession of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific,Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of theConvention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that hadbeen held in November 2003. It noted that increasingattention was now being paid by the CBD to severalimportant weather- and climate-related issues relatedto biological diversity.5.1.11 The Association was pleased to note thatWMO was a member of the Ad Hoc Technical ExpertGroup on Biological Diversity and Climate Change,established by the CBD, and that that team had nowpublished a book on the subject.5.1.12 The Association agreed with theconclusions of SBSTTA that there were opportunitiesto implement climate change mitigation andadaptation activities in ways that were mutuallybeneficial and synergistic, and that that wouldcontribute simultaneously to the UNFCCC, CBD andother international agreements, all within broadernational development objectives.World Climate Impact Assessment and ResponseStrategies Programme5.1.13 The United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) was responsible forimplementing the World Climate Impact Assessmentand Response Strategies Programme (WCIRP).UNEP had made progress in its joint programmeswith WMO since Fourteenth Congress. TheAssociation noted the closer working relationshipbetween WCIRP and the WMO WCP and expressedinterest in joint projects and adaptation to climatechange that had been prepared.5.1.14 The Association noted with appreciation thereport of the chairperson of the Working Group onClimate-Related Matters (WGCRM), includingClimate Information and Prediction Services (CLIPS),which included a comprehensive Compendium ofClimate Information Services prepared by carryingout a survey of Members in the Region. TheCompendium gave the latest picture on howMembers in the Region were developing their climateservices in order to meet the requirements of varioususers of climate information and prediction products.The Compendium provided information on availablemethods, technology and human resources in theRegion needed in producing and providing climateinformation services. It further demonstrated therelevant technological and human resourcerequirements and future development in the Region.The Association urged Members to study theCompendium and take steps to improve theiractivities in the provision of climate informationservices, as appropriate.5.1.15 The Association noted that the chairpersonof the Working Group had elaborated on the effortsbeing made by Members and WMO to improveactivities related to climate data management and