Hanoi (VNA) – The TyphoonCommittee (TC) convened its 50th session in Hanoi on February 28.
Established in 1968, the TC is aninter-governmental body organised under the joint auspices of the UnitedNations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and theWorld Meteorological Organisation (WMO). It aims to promote and coordinate theplanning and implementation of measures required for minimising the loss of lifeand material damage caused by typhoons in Asia and the Pacific.
The four-day event is set to feature areview of typhoons in 2017, reports by hydrometeorology working groups, anupdate on the TC’s action strategy for 2017 – 2021, and discussions on policybuilding for regional member countries to mitigate storm risks and damage.
The TC took the occasion to honour nations,meteorological forecast centres, and individuals, which have contributedsignificantly to its operation to date. The Vietnam HydrometeorologicalForecast Centre was awarded the TC’s Kintanar Award.
At the event, Minister of Natural Resourcesand Environment Tran Hong Ha said the committee plays an increasing importantrole in supporting regional member countries in reducing human and asset lossescaused by natural disasters.
Kaveh Zahedi, UESCAP Deputy ExecutiveSecretary, stressed the committee is a visionary initiative to develop actionframeworks.-VNA