A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) regional workshop on the provision of weather- and climate-related services in least developed countries (LDCs) brought together participants from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of eight Asian LDCs, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Myanmar and Yemen.
17 September 2014: A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) regional workshop on the provision of weather- and climate-related services in least developed countries (LDCs) brought together participants from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of eight Asian LDCs, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Myanmar and Yemen.
The workshop, which convened in Thimphu, Bhutan, from 9-11 September 2014, provided an opportunity for Asian LDCs to share their experiences and identify common challenges in order to tackle them through the adoption of a regional approach. These eight countries have diverse climate conditions, from coastal regions to high mountain regions, including some landlocked countries.
In Asian LDCs, the impacts of rising temperatures, precipitation variability, extreme weather events and sea level rise, are significantly exacerbated due to the fragile infrastructures of these countries. Participants agreed that while weather and climate services contribute to the socioeconomic development of LDCs, a comprehensive approach to economic development is required.
During the workshop, Dasho Sonam Tshering, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Bhutan, said that his country’s approach to economic development is based on Gross National Happiness (GNH) and can provide an integrated approach to climate change adaptation, explaining that GNH is based on: socioeconomic growth; environmental protection; cultural preservation; and good governance.
The workshop identified a number of priorities, including: improving the quality and availability of observations; providing tailored weather forecasts and warnings and climate predictions to support decision makers; establishing national frameworks for weather- and climate-related services; improving linkages with users; enhancing forecast products and public weather services; implementing the WMO Strategy for Service Delivery using its Implementation Plan; and building capacity of participating NMHSs. [WMO Press Release]