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 HMEI Report on The WMO the 15th Regional Association V (South West Pacific) (RAV)  Conference,
Bali, Indonesia, 30 April- 6   2010


The Official Photo of the RA V Attendees in Bali - click to enlarge

Please note: Items are listed in order of presentation at the meeting. Also the following report is not intended to be definitive, but covers items considered of interest to HMEI Members.

OPENING
The Sessions were introduced with Balinese dance and music. After this the opening speeches commenced.

Speech by the President of RA-V Mr Arona Ngari
The President emphasized the positive role of WMO in contributing to safety in instances of natural hazard emergencies in Region V.

The President noted that Timor Leste had joined as a WMO Region V member last year.

Welcome Speech by the Director of the Indonesian Meteorological Service Dr Sri Woro Harijono
Dr Harijono noted the importance of the formation of the High Level Task Force for the Global Framework for Climate Services, one of the recommendations from the 3rd World Climate Conference (WCC-3), the set up meeting of which the HMEI Executive Secretary attended in March (see report in April HMEI Newsletter).

Opening Address by the WMO Secretary General, Mr Michele Jarraud
Mr Jarraud noted the various conferences and work in Region V, since the last RA-V session 4 years ago, which have addressed the issues of sustainability and the vulnerability of countries in the region, in the face of climate change, and risk assessment and adaptation strategies for this.

NOTE: Information document INF 7 is available here. This document summarizes reports of the WMO regional activities and conference in the region as mentioned above.

Welcome Address by the Indonesian Minister for Transport Mr Freddy Numberi
The Minister welcomed the delegates to Indonesia, noting the importance of the meeting. He wished the participants fruitful discussions and to enjoy their stay in Bali.

DOCUMENT 3 (See document here)
Report of the President of RA-V
The RA-V President, Mr Arona Ngari, made several points including:

  • The increase in RA-V members from 21 to 22 in 2009, with Timor Leste joining the Association.
  • Noting the major events and activities in the RA-V in the intercessional period, including that there will be a Regional Climate Center in RA-V.
  • The urgent need for improvement of communication technologies in the region.
  • The President noted with pleasure that the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu were also taking steps to join the WMO RA-V.

DOCUMENT 9 (See document here)
Review of Previous Resolutions and Recommendations of the Association and of Relevant Executive Council Resolutions
This document looks at previous WMO resolutions for RA-V and notes those which are to be replaced or totally cancelled.

DOCUMENT INF 7 (See document here)
Summary report on Activities of RA-V Subsidiary Bodies (2006-2010)
This document contains interesting information on some of the work in the region in the last 4 years.

Document Inf. 7 - Annex 1, Report by Mr Terry Hart, Chairperson of the Working Group on Planning and Implementation of the WWW in Region V
Mr Hart outlined the regional work done in terms of the World Weather Watch (WWW).
Particularly noted:

  • The Global Observing System (GOS).
  • Information Systems and Services.
  • Progress (albeit slow) on the migration to Table Driven Codes.
  • Progress for the regional Pilot Projects for demonstrating Internet technologies, as part of WIS (WMO Information System).
  • Data Processing and Forecasting System, Public Weather Services and Disaster Risk reduction in Region V were outlined.

In ‘Challenges for the Planning and Implementation in the WWW-Region V’ two points of note were:

  • Continuing Communications limitations in parts of Region V; and
  • The multiple needs for developing better communication methods across Region V in light of disaster mitigation needs.

Note: Please refer directly to the section on ‘Challenges….’ in Annex 1 of Inf. 7 for full elaboration of communication technologies needs foreseen in Region V.

DOCUMENT 4.1 (See document here)
Enhanced Capabilities of Members to Produce Better Weather Forecasts and Warnings
This document focuses on severe weather forecasting and looks particularly at Aeronautical, Marine and tropical Cyclone forecasting in Region V.

• Item 4.1.18
It is noted here that JCOMM (Joint Commission on Marine Meteorology) and CHy (Commission for Hydrology) have a combined project for forecasting and warnings, which looks at coastal inundation and the need for a software package that combines both ocean and hydrological models for forecasting and risk reduction of extreme coastal events.

DOCUMENT 5.2(3)  (See document here)
Sixth Technical Conference on Management of Meteorological and Hydrological Services in Regional Association V (South-West Pacific)
The document gives reports on the previous intercessional technical meetings.

Discussion took place on the two upcoming regional meetings proposed in the next intercessional period:

  • The 6th Regional Technical Conference; and
  • The 4th Regional Seminar

The meeting was asked to propose topics for both of these planned events. The WMO Management Group will then select from the lists of proposals which topics will be covered in the respective Conference and Seminar.

Topics suggested by the meeting participants for these two events were:

  • Climate Risk Insurance.
  • Climate Prediction and Disaster Risk reduction.
  • Flood Forecasting to prepare for Early Warning Systems.
  • Prospective and Water Resources Management.
  • Follow-up on the Task Force on GFCS.
  • Aviation Services – including training package for aviation forecasters.
  • Improvement of Service Delivery and Cost Recovery.

‘Cooperative Agreement for the Enhancement of Meteorological Services in the South Pacific”
It is proposed to hold an ICAO/WMO Aviation Workshop, tentatively in October 2010, to advance this project. It is envisaged that the private industry will be invited to attend the workshop.

DOCUMENT 6 (See document here)
Emerging and Specific Challenges
Three issues are looked at in this document:

i. Sustainable operation of observing systems
ii. Quality Management Systems (QMS) – aviation is the driver for this, but the issue is more extensive than just aviation.
iii. Climate Change Adaptation –effective disaster risk reduction is considered the key for this.

The link between all three issues is the need for instrument calibration and the measurement of observations to international standards.

The need to maintain instrument calibration means that mandatory access to viable Regional Instrument Centers (RICs) is essential. The tractability of meteorological instrument calibration is essential for climate monitoring and adaptation, as Meteorological Services need to be accountable for the quality of the observations and thus the quality of meteorological advice.

DOCUMENT 4.4 (See document here)
Integration of WMO Observing Systems
Points of note from this document are:
• 4.4.7
There is now published a CD-ROM (WMT/TD-No. 1481, WCDMP-No. 68), with the seven Commission for Climate (CCl) guidelines on climate observations, climate data management and data rescue: this is additional to CD-ROM (WMO/TD-No. 1484 and WCDMP-No. 70), which has guidelines on plant phonological observations.
• 4.4.11
The importance was noted of quality assurance and control for greenhouse gases (GHG) measurements. The crucial importance of the GHG measurements performed by the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) for the new GHG satellite-based measurement validation and as a complementary network to the surface GHG network was also noted. Integration of total column and ground-satellite-based measurement systems with in-situ surface GHG networks is being encouraged.
• 4.4.12
The extreme importance of atmospheric aerosols as a key component of the Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) for climate change issues, improving weather forecasts, and their impact on human health and ecosystems was noted. It was recommended that there should be continued and enhanced coverage and effectiveness of long term measurements within the Region V.
• 4.4.15
There has been an expansion of marine observing networks in Region V (see this item in the document). The Region V Members were encourage to continue further development of their ocean observing systems in order to address the increasing needs for climate applications and services.
• 4.4.17
The work of the RA V Working Group on Hydrology (RA V-WGH) and the progress of the South-East Asia countries WHYCOS component was noted. The member countries of Region V were informed of the need to have standards for hydrological observations and processing, to make them compatible with the WMO Management Framework requirements.
• 4.4.21
In regard to Spaced-based Observations, it was noted that, in accordance with the WMO Vision for the GOS (Global Observation System), there had been a transition from R&D status of several space-based missions in Region V to operational status. There is a goal in the region to address the observational need to avoid gaps in the satellite-based climate records. The importance of the Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) was stressed in order to ensure consistency of satellite datasets required for climate applications.
• 4.4.23
The meeting was informed that the WMO Executive Council (EC) has revised the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for Regional Instrument Centers (RICs) and Regional Radiation Centers (RRCs). In light of this the regions are now responsible for verifying capabilities and performance, and to strengthen and evaluate RICs and RRCs in their respective regions.
• 4.4.25
The importance of carrying out instrument comparisons was strongly emphasized to achieve the development of better instruments. Region V was encouraged to organize and participate in instrument comparisons, including the upcoming Pyrheliometer Comparison to be held on Davos Switzerland, autumn 2010.
• 4.4.26
With the continuing threat to meteorological used radio frequency bands the members of Region V were urged to continue to work actively in regard to regulatory issues in this regard, using as reference the ITU-WMO Handbook ‘Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water, and Climate Monitoring and Prediction’.
• 4.4.32
Support was asked from Australia, New Zealand and United States, with instrumentation, data management and other scientific support, for the initial four GRUAN sites in the South-West Pacific.
• 4.4.33
As it is suggested that the Network for Detection of Atmospheric Composition (NDAC) stations could now contribute to the GRUAN, regional members were asked to better integrate existing aerosol networks and work to establishing a GAW global network for aerosol properties.
• 4.4.44
The Region V members were urged to participated in the WMO’s new WIGOS PILOT Projects (WPP) by:
i. Cooperating with the oceanographic data centers to develop interoperability among their data systems and the WIS and/or the Ocean Data Portal of IOC (International Oceans Commission); and
ii. Having facilities for running Regional Marine Instrument Centers on a trial bases
• 4.4.45
The Region V members were asked to participate in the GRUAN WPP by:
i. Supporting development of manuals and guides for GRUAN in line with existing WMO guidelines;
ii. Developing a GRUAN data dissemination model;
iii. Supporting assessments of “best instrumentation”;
iv. Involving GRUAN members in CIMO Radiosonde Intercomparisons and other international Intercomparisons; and
v. Continue support of current GRUAN networks.

DOCUMENT 4.2 (See document here)
Enhanced Capabilities of Members to Provide Better Climate Predictions and Assessments
The meeting was informed of the GFCS (Global Framework for Climate Services), established by WCC-3 in Geneva last year. Explanation was given of how it is formulated and the expected improvements to climate services that will eventuate.

It was noted that CCl has created the following four OPAGs:

  • Climate Data Management;
  • Global Regional Climate Monitoring and Assessment;
  • Climate Products and Services; and
  • Climate Information for Adaptation and Risk Management.

It was noted that Australia has developed a Climate Database Management System (CDMS) for Small Island Developing States (SIDs) in the Pacific. This will have a user-friendly, web-based interface, using LINUX and open source software. It will have WMO-compliant functionality in terms of messaging and encoding, as well as WIS compliance. The United Kingdom recommended that the CLIMSOFT software should be used as the database for this CDMS.

DOCUMENT 4.3 (See document here)
Enhanced Capabilities of Members to Provide Better Hydrological Forecasts and Assessments
‘Assessment of the Performance of Flow Measurement Instruments’
The meeting was informed about this project, which particularly addresses the absence of standards and guidance materials for performance tests and uncertainly analysis in relation to recent advances in these types of instruments and techniques; i.e. acoustic Doppler current profilers, point acoustic velocity meters, surface velocity radar, and large-scale particle image velocimetry.

The assessment has received the support of several organizations, including the International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research ((IAHR), the International Association of Hydrological Sciences ((IAHS), the Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI) and various NMHSs. Other technical commissions, such as CIMO, will also be involved in the project.

•  Item 4.3.3
In this item the major challenges facing the NMHSs in Region V were noted. Particularly noted was the limited availability of:

  • Maintenance and operating of hydrological networks;
  • Instruments and equipment;
  • Flood forecasting and drought prediction;
  • Water resources assessment and training; and
  • The limited regional presence of WMO and funding of NHSs.

DOCUMENT 4.5 (See document here)
Development and Implementation of the New WMO Information System (WIS)
The meeting was advised that WMO is facilitating the interface of Climate Data Management & Systems (CDMSS) with WIS. There is increased collaboration between WMO Members for the provision of modern CDMSs and their installation by NMHSs.

It was further noted that there is a requirement to produce a minimum set of functions that a CDMS should offer; resulting from a new evaluation of existing and future CDMSs. WMO will provide additional guidance on CDMSs to help providers of these systems to adequately specify them and to allow potential users to make an informed choice of CDMSs.

There is a proposal to hold an International Conference, under the auspices of WMO, to consider climate data issues. This conference should lead to the development of a High-Quality Global Climate Data Management System (HQ-GCDMS), benefiting from progress in the implementation of modern CDMSs.

DOCUMENT 10
Election of President and Vice President of RA V
The outgoing President and Vice-President of RA V were Mr Arona NGARI (President) and Dr Sri Woro HARIJONO (Vice-President)

Candidates for the new term of President of RA V were: Dr Sri Woro HARIJONO (Indonesia): and Mr Arona NGARI (Cook Islands).

There were no candidates listed before the meeting for the new term of Vice –President of RA V, however ‘Ofa FA’ANUNU (Tonga) was proposed from the floor by the Australian delegate and was the sole candidate for this position.

New President and Vice President of RA V:

  • Dr Sri Woro HARIJONO from Indonesia has been voted in as the new President of Regional Association V (South-East Pacific).
  • ‘Ofa FA’ANUNU (Tonga) is the new Vice-President of Regional Association V (South-East Pacific).

BRIEFING ON THE GLOBAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SERVICES (GFCS)
This was presented by DR Geoff Love the WMO Secretariat supporting the High Level Task Team for the GFCS.

After a brief history of the progress towards this GFCS, through the 1st World Climate Conference (WCC-1) and WCC-2, Dr Love continued to the WCC-3 that was held in 2009. At WCC-3, amongst many attendees and experts, there were 57 country ministerial representatives and 2500 scientists who participated in expert sessions. In the WCC-3 the concept of a Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and essential elements of it were established.

Some key points from discussions at WCC-3 about the GFCS were:

  • An urgent need for closer partnership between providers and users of climate services.
  • Major new and strengthened research efforts are needed to increase effective and skilled climate predictions.

The end results from the conference are contained in the WCC-3 Conference Declaration, which document can be seen at: http://www.wmo.int/wcc3/declaration_en.php.

As a result of the WCC-3 decisions There has been convened the High Level Taskforce Team to set up the GFCS. (HMEI was invited as reported in the previous HMEI Newsletter to participate in the setting up of this Taskforce.)

The Taskforce will prepare a report on the establishment of the GFCS in terms of such things as:

  • GFCS to be an Inter-Governmental project.
  • Identification of key sectors.
  • An implementation plan.
  • The role of governments.
  • Timelines.
  • Cost options.
  • Needs of vulnerable states.

It was noted that the Terms of Reference call for “wide consultation” for input to the Taskforce Team’s Report. Therefore in order to establish and refine the perspectives and needs of the communities concerned with a Global Framework for Climate Services, WMO has a questionnaire on the WMO website that can be filled in by those concerned, see: http://www.wmo.int/hlt-gfcs/index_en.html.

The structure of the Report is at this point proposed to be in three Parts:

  • Part I - Current Climate Services Capability
  • Part II – Gaps to be Filled and Emerging Needs
  • Part III – Options for Implementing a New Framework

The Report will be drafted in several stages leading to the final Report:

  • Draft of Part I due 20 May 2010
  • Draft of Part II due 27 July 2010
  • Draft of Part III due September 2010

There will be a meeting of the Task force for a release strategy of the Final Report held in December 2011.

The Final Report is to be presented to the WMO Congress to be held in Geneva, May 2010.

PRESENTATION ON THE PROPOSED REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER (HYDROLOGY) (RTC-H)
Indonesia has been proposed as a RTC-H for Region V.

The hydrological and water resources requirements for Region V are:

  • Education, training and capacity building;
  • HYCOS Projects:Adaptation to climate change;
  • Water quality monitoring and assessment;
  • Maintenance and calibration of equipment for hydrology;
  • Flood forecasting;
  • Exchange of hydrology data and information;
  • Quality Management Framework (QMF) and ISO standards.

The Objectives of the RTC-H to meet these requirements:

  • Ensure adequately trained staff for hydrological services;
  • To promote high quality education in hydrology;To promote and strengthen the exchange of training knowledge;
  • To promote capacity building by assisting national hydrological services.

The Indonesian Hydrology Training Center in Bandung is the proposed venue for the RTC-H for Region V.
The Facilities:

  • Meeting facilities and dormitory;
  • Laboratory for calibration, including for flow meters;
  • Publication of hydrological data.

The Staff:

  • 8 doctoral staff;
  • 25 masters qualified staff, in hydrology and water resources;
  • 40 support staff.

The training center also enjoys joint cooperation with many international organizations.

The meeting supported the call for the RTC-H to be established in Indonesia and requested WMO to put this into effect.

LECTURES (See abstracts document here)
Benefiting from the Latest Developments in NWP by Dr Neil Gordon
The presentation covered the various recent (intercessional) advances in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP).

Satellite Observing Systems
The advances in satellite observing systems has led to collection of data that has demonstrably improved weather prediction and models. Satellite imaging of the weather has provided increasing understanding of the systems.

THORPEX
This project focuses on creating improvements in the 1 – 10 day forecast. Of the TIGGE medium-range models, ECWMF models are usually the most accurate, and with those from UK and USA met services vying for second place. The multi-model ensemble forecasts are seen as giving the best results.

SWFDP
Interactive Internet access has been an excellent resource for the Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project (SWFDP). There are now numerous websites (from NMHSs) with interactive weather forecasting available for Region V. One excellent example is the MetConnect Pacific website.

Looking Forward
Forecasting advances are previewed with:

  • More multi-model ensembles (resulting in creasing accuracy);
  • Bias corrected and down-scaled information;
  • Longer range forecasts (up to 2 weeks) for high-impact weather event, for greater risk reduction and mitigation.

Next RA V Session
Papua New Guinea expressed interest in hosting the next RA V session. However, at the moment they could not confirm this officially, as Government approval will be needed before the official offer can be made.

Closure of session
The session closed at 12.40, Thursday 6 May.

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