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

22 ABRIDGED FINAL REPORT OF THE THIRTEENTH SESSION OF RA II6.2 GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE WATCH(agenda item 6.2)6.2.1 The Association welcomed the introductionof the GAW Station Information System (GAWSIS)and its new interactive mapping function. Itencouraged Members to use that web-based tool toreview and update descriptions of their GAW stationsand measurements. It noted that a majority of itsMembers operated GAW stations. The MountWaliguan Global station established in China wasnow fully operational and plans were under way byChina to establish, in collaboration with theSecretariat, a fully operational network of sixRegional GAW stations. The announcement by theRussian Federation at the fifty-sixth session of theExecutive Council to re-establish greenhouse gasmonitoring through the Main GeophysicalObservatory had been recognized as an importantstep toward filling a major gap in the GAW network.The Association supported the many activities in theRegion that were under way to establish aerosolmeasurements consistent with the core measurementprogramme recommended by the GAW ScientificAdvisory Group on Aerosols in Report No. 153,WMO/GAW Aerosol Measurement Procedures,Guidelines and Recommendations (WMO/TD -No. 1178). In particular, it noted the strongrepresentation and interest of the Region in a GAWcoordinated global aerosol optical depth networkfollowing from recommendations of the WMO/GAWExperts Workshop on a Global Surface-BasedNetwork for Long-term Observations of ColumnAerosol Optical Properties (Davos, Switzerland, 8–10 March 2004) organized by the Secretariat andhosted by the GAW World Optical Depth Researchand Calibration Centre. Finally, the Associationencouraged its Members to build the capacity of itsGAW monitoring programmes through participation inmajor research projects such as the AtmosphericBrown Cloud (ABC) study and projects under theInternational Global Atmospheric ChemistryProgramme (IGAC) project of IGBP. The Associationnoted that KMA had organized the InternationalWorkshop for ABC-Asia Intensive Observation Periodat Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, from 20–22September 2004, and that an intensive observationexperiment entitled ABC Gosan Campaign would beconducted from March to May 2005 for understandingthe uncertainties in critical ABC measurements andfacilitating improvements in instruments, observingtechniques and protocols.6.2.2 The Association recognized the need forthe international scientific community and decisionmakers to have ready access to atmosphericcomposition information. It therefore urged Membersto submit their measurement and quality assurancedata regularly to the relevant GAW World DataCentre. Although the decision by Japan to addsurface ozone observations archived at the WorldData Centre for Greenhouse Gases had resulted inconsiderable progress in assembling a globaldatabase for surface ozone, much remained to bedone in filling gaps in the global network throughpartnerships with regional environmental networks.Members were urged to submit surface ozone data tothe Centre as well as other greenhouse data. Thesame applied to the global precipitation chemistrynetwork of GAW, comprised of a number of regionalnetworks operated by WMO Members and partners.Regional networks contributed data to the World DataCentre for Precipitation Chemistry. In order to fill agap in that global data set in Region II, theAssociation encouraged its Members to support thedata exchange agreement that was underdevelopment between the Acid Deposition MonitoringNetwork in East Asia (EANET) and GAW.6.2.3 Activities related to the analysis andapplication of GAW observations were encouragedby the Association. Further to the ongoingoperational forecasting service for sand storms, theplan of Japan to implement an operational UVforecasting system in 2005 was an important additionto the delivery of products utilizing GAWobservations.6.2.4 Appreciation was expressed to thosecentres involved in organizing intensive GAWcapacity-building activities and training throughcourses, personnel exchanges and technicalcalibration workshops. The Association noted thescope of the training events arranged by WMOconcerned with ensuring that high-qualitymeasurement data were available for research andmonitoring purposes. In particular, it encouragedMembers to take full advantage of the experts visitingGAW stations and training and instrument calibrationadvice available at the GAW QualityAssurance/Science Activity Centre operated by JMA.In addition, the GAW Training and Education Centrein Germany and the WMO Secretariat wereacknowledged for providing opportunities for RA IIMembers to participate in training courses onmeasurements of gases, aerosols and UV for stationoperators.6.2.5 The Association noted with satisfaction theprogress made in the GAW Urban ResearchMeteorology and Environment (GURME) pilotprojects in Moscow and Beijing. In the Moscowproject, several services for regulatory and public usehad been developed. The Beijing project predictionsystem for air pollution was coordinated with theWorld Weather Research Programme (WWRP)Beijing 2008 Forecast Demonstration Project. TheAssociation expressed the need for a trainingworkshop for its Members to learn from thoseexperiences so that such pilot projects could be run inother countries. The Association recommended thatMembers develop contacts and cooperation withregional WHO bodies and local environmentalagencies on urban issues.6.2.6 The Association noted with appreciation thereports submitted by its Co-Rapporteurs on theGlobal Atmosphere Watch, Messrs Serguei Chicherin