The Fourth Session of the Forum on Regional Climate Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction for Asia (FOCRAII)

Beijing, China,

9-11 April 2008

BACKGROUND &OBJECTIVES

Seasonal climate variations and changes have significant impacts on the welfare and sustainability of every society. This is particularly the case for the communities within the RA II region. The Asian region usually experiences high seasonal variability and change, including extreme events such as floods, typhoons, droughts, snow storms, etc. due to its geographic location relative to some of the key natural climate phenomena driving the climate of the region such as monsoon and ENSO.

Almost 4 billion people, over 60% of the world’s population, live in this region and a large part live below the poverty line. Food and water security, poverty reduction, health, economic and developmental activities, all highly climate dependent, are major challenges. These characteristics provide major challenges and opportunities for the scientific community to provide early warning systems for the onset of climate events, particularly extreme events, to prevent and minimize the impacts of climatic hazards and safeguard life and property of people and the environment within RA II.  

Major scientific advancements in understanding and predicting the onset of major climate events in recent years on seasonal to inter-annual timescales have provided the framework from which society can prevent or minimize loss of life and property.

The FOCRAII held in Beijing, China, sponsored by CMA and WMO, was a response to addressing the needs of the RA II region for climate monitoring, assessment prediction and applications (CliMAP). From 2005 to 2007, three sessions of FOCRAII were successfully held and provided a platform to share the experience of seasonal to inter-annual climate prediction methodologies and systems as well as prediction products for Asia. In addition, it’s also one of the important activities of WMO East Asian Monsoon Activity Centre (EAMAC).

The main objectives of the Forum are:

1.    To review the progress made in CliMAP programs and activities both within RA II and internationally with a specific focus on the challenges and opportunities in seasonal to inter-annual climate prediction methodologies and systems unique to the RA II region.

2.    To provide a platform for the Members of RA II to share and exchange experience and knowledge on CliMAP.

3.    To build collaboration and partnerships among the Members of RA II in CliMAP

programs as well as other international partners and activities.

4.    To identify needs of end-users through a dialog among different groups. 

THEMES

Advances in seasonal to inter-annual climate prediction in Asia (including East Asian summer monsoon prediction);

Advances in East Asian Monsoon studies;

Advances in climate system model in Asia;

Advances in climate monitoring and climate impact assessment;

Tailored climate products/climate information application and services;

Meeting with end users

We invite scientists, policy makers, forecasters and journalists to participate in this Forum and to submit abstracts of presentations and posters related to one of the forum themes.

Detailed information on the Forum (registration, accommodation, program, visa, etc) will be available on BCC’s webpage:

http://bcc.cma.gov.cn/en/FOCRAII2008/

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Chair: ZHENG Guoguang

DONG Wenjie, CHEN Zhenlin, CHAO Qingchen, LI Weijing, LUO Yong, ZHAI Panmao, ZHANG　Renhe, REN Jiawen, ZHANG Xiaoye, HUANG Jianping, YANG Xiuqun, YAN Yuping, LI Qingquan

FOCRAII ORGANIZER

Beijing Climate Centre, CMA

WMO East Asian Monsoon Activity Centre

World Meteorological Organization

SPONSORS

The Forum is organized by Beijing Climate Centre (BCC) of China Meteorological Administration (CMA), co-sponsored by WMO East Asian Monsoon Activity Centre

(EAMAC) and WMO, in collaboration with Ministry of Science and Technology of PRC and State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

The sponsors cover meals and hotel costs for all participants during the workshop. There is no registration fee.

CONTACT PERSON

Mr. SUN Yuan

FOCRAII Secretariat

Beijing Climate Centre, CMA

46 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District

Beijing 100081, China

Telephone:     +86-010-68400093

Fax:              +86-010-68400097

Email:     sunyuan@cma.gov.cn 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Important Dates

March 5, 2008: Deadline for submission of registration form

March 6, 2008: Issue the second circular

March 25, 2008: Deadline for submission of abstract

April 8, 2008: Registration in Beijing

April 9-11, 2008: FOCRAII

Venue

Beijing Climate Centre of China Meteorological Administration (BCC-CMA) is located about 40km southwest of Beijing International Airport. Many hotels are to be found within easy walking distances of BCC-CMA. Further information about the hotels, obtaining visas and local arrangements will be provided in the second circular and on the website.

Working Language

English