Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip today launched the World Meteorological Organisation's Regional Association II (Asia)'s 13th session at the Convention Centre, praising the Hong Kong Observatory's contribution to watching the world's weather.

Mr Ip said the observatory projects a good public image and meets the changing needs of the community, adding its achievements would not have been possible without the exemplary international co-operation under the framework of the World Meteorological Organisation.

Being the biggest meeting of meteorology chiefs hosted in Hong Kong, the session runs to December 15. Welcoming the overseas delegates, observatory Director CY Lam said reports from thousands of stations worldwide help make the work of its department possible.

"Developing and operating the two pilot websites on global official city forecasts and worldwide severe weather warnings on behalf of the organisation is one of the things Hong Kong has been doing to reciprocate the generous support of the international meteorological community," he said.

100 delegates attend

The Hong Kong session is being attended by more than 100 delegates from 35 Asian jurisdictions, senior officials of the organisation's secretariat, representatives from related international bodies and observers from weather services in other regions.

The organisation's Secretary-General Michel Jarraud and Acting President of Region Association II (Asia) Majeed Isa also spoke at the opening session.

A wide range of topics covering weather monitoring, information processing, weather services, atmospheric research, climate studies, hydrology, training, technical co-operation and strategic planning will be discussed.

The association meets in a formal session every four years to discuss regional co-operation to improve meteorological services.