World Meteorological Organization Working together in weather, climate and water

1. World Meteorological OrganizationWorking together in weather, climate and water WMO EC – LXII / Doc. 2.4 Geneva, 8 to 18 June 2010 Report by the President of RA II Prof. Victor Chub

2. Priorities for RA II • Development of Strategic Action Plan • Pilot projects implementation • Further improvement of existing observing systems, telecommunication systems and data-processing facilities • Multi-hazard early warning systems • Quality management system • RCC Network

3. Strategic Planning • RA II Strategic Plan (2009-2011) • Adopted at XIV-RA II (Tashkent, Dec. 08) • Identified 201 deliverables under 40 Regional Expected Results • Action Plan for the implementation of RA II Strategic Plan • Task Team on Strategic Planning – established • 110 deliverables under 32 Regional Expected Results • A draft RA II Strategic Action Plan - being prepared

4. Working Mechanism of RA II Management Group President • WG on WMO Integrated Observing System and WMO Information System (WG-IOS/WIS) • Sub-group on IOS • Sub-group on WIS WG on Hydrological Forecasts and Assessments (WGH) • WG on Climate Services, Adaptation and Agrometeorology (WGCAA) • Sub-group on Climate Applications and Services (WGCAA-CAS) • Sub-group on Agrometeorology (WGCAA-AgM) • WG on Disaster Risk Reduction and Service Delivery (WGDRS) • Sub-group on Disaster Risk Reduction (WGDRS-DRR) • Sub-group on Service Delivery (WGDRS-SD) • Sub-group on Aeronautical Meteorological Services (WGDRS-AeM) Initiation of the work in accordance with the established work mechanism and implementation plans

5. Pilot Projects of RA II - Established at XIII-RA II (2004) - • Provision of City-Specific Numerical Weather Prediction Products to Developing Countries via the Internet (Coordinator: Hong Kong, China) • City-specific forecast time series products, provided by Hong Kong, China; Japan; and Republic of Korea, have been launched on their respective web sites since January 2006. • By the end of March 2010, 18 RA II Members have joined the pilot project. Forecast time series for some 160 cities are being provided to participating Members twice daily. • To Develop Support for Developing Countries in the Aeronautical Meteorology Programme (Coordinator: China) • With support by CAeM-XIV, it is planned that the pilot project website (www.aamets.org) provided by China for the provision of NWP guidance in support of aviation meteorological forecasts and warnings will be operational in autumn 2010.

6. Pilot Projects of RA II- Established at XIV-RA II (2008) - • To Enhance the Availability and Quality Management Support for NMHSs in Surface, Climate and Upper-air Observations • Coordinator: Japan • Questionnaire survey • JMA/WMO Workshop, Tokyo, 27-30 July 2010 (tentative) To assess the current status and to identify the requirements of NMHSs of developing countries, in particular least developed countries in the Region, regarding the implementation of weather, climate and upper-air observations, their provision and their quality management. To facilitate the Members’ relevant activities to enhance the availability and quality of the observations through exchange of information on the practices.

7. Pilot Projects of RA II- Established at XIV-RA II (2008) – • To Develop Support for NMHSs in Numerical Weather Prediction • Co-coordinators: Hong Kong, China and Republic of Korea • Draft Action Plan for the “Asian Consortium for NWP Forecasts” (ACNF): being circulated to the members of the coordination group for comments. • Questionnaire survey: To collate views on establishing a website for the ACNF to facilitate exchange and sharing of knowledge on the development and operation of NWP, and to solicit their training requirements in the application and research of NWP models

8. Pilot Projects of RA II- Established at XIV-RA II (2008) – • To Develop Support for NMHSs in Satellite Data, Products and Training • Co-coordinators: Japan and Republic of Korea • Newsletters (No. 1-Sept. 09, No. 2-Apr. 10, No. 3-May 10) to provide the information on the way to access satellite imagery, data and products including application products as well as training activities currently available or to be available in the future. • Pilot project web pages: established on the WMO Space Programme (WMOSP) website • Mailing lists: created to further facilitate the exchange of information on satellite data, products and training. Action: WMO Secretariat and Members to support the implementation of these projects

9. Regional Climate Centre (RCC) Network • Beijing Climate Centre (BCC) and Tokyo Climate Centre (TCC) have been designated as RCCs in 2009 • India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia expressed strong interest in joining RA II RCC Network and eventual designation

10. Workshop on the Implementation of the WMO SDS-WAS Asia Node, October 2009 Proposed activities in 2010: an integrated observation network to secure exchange of aerosol observations in near-real time exchange of SDS forecasting products between the Asian project partners. to provide more accurate warnings and assessments of sand and dust storms throughout Asia WMO Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS) Action: Members to participate in the regional node

11. Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific (RAP) • Closer contact with Members and liaison with regional bodies • Role as WMO Secretariat focal point and information centre • Through visits; in supporting regional events; in developing and implementing technical cooperation projects • Through RAP Website on regional activities • Regional news items and articles • Information on Members’ activities • Technical Cooperation projects under UNDP, TF, VCP and RB • WMO emergency response and assistance • WMO Office for West Asia in Bahrain (inaugurated on 12 March 2007): various regional capacity development activities being carried out in close collaboration with Members and regional organizations Action: Secretary-General to continue his efforts to strengthen the Regional Office in order to respond quickly to the growing needs and requirements of Members in the Region